Ellyse Perry, Annabel Sutherland withdraw from WPL 2026 due to personal reasons

Australian stars Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland have pulled out of the upcoming Women's Premier League (WPL 2026) season citing personal reasons, dealing a significant blow to Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals respectively ahead of the tournament's fourth edition.

Perry, who was set to feature for RCB, and Sutherland, signed by DC, have been replaced by Sayali Satghare and Alana King. Satghare will join the Bengaluru-based franchise at her reserve price of INR 30 lakh, while King - who represented UP Warriorz last season - has been roped in by DC at INR 60 lakh. The Australian leg-spinner brings considerable experience to the Capitals' line-up, having claimed 27 wickets in 27 T20Is.

Perry's loss is a significant blow to RCB's chances. The veteran all-rounder was the Orange Cap winner with 347 runs at 69.40 and also took seven wickets in 9 games that helped RCB clinch the title in 2024. Even in an injury-hit 2025 season for RCB, Perry proved to be highly consistent, scoring 372 runs including four half-centuries from eight games and was retained for INR 2 crore ahead of this season.

Sutherland also had a fine season with the ball in Delhi Capitals' run to the final last year, claiming nine wickets at a very good economy of 7.57. Like her compatriot Perry, Sutherland too was retained by the Capitals for INR 2.2 crore.

Meanwhile, UP Warriorz have also made a change to their squad after USA's Tara Norris was selected for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier in Nepal, which runs from January 18 to February 1. Warriorz have signed uncapped Australian all-rounder Charli Knott as Norris' replacement at a reserve price of INR 10 lakh.

WPL 2026 begins in just over a week, with Mumbai Indians taking on RCB at Navi Mumbai on January 9.