Body blow for RCB as Ellyse Perry ruled out of WPL 2026, Indian all-rounder named as replacement

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder Ellyse Perry has pulled out of Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 due to persoanl reasons. This comes as a massive setback for the  franchise as the Australian was undoubtedly one of the most important players of their team. Perry was retained by RCB for INR 2 crore ahead of the auction, but now won't be featuring in the season altogether.

In her place, RCB have decided to bring in 25-year-old Indian all-rounder Sayali Satghare. She had played for the Gujarat Giants in the previous two seasons, but only has a total of four appearances under her name in the tournament so far. Sayali doesn't have a lot of experience when it comes to the international stage either and has only featured in three WODIs for India. She has joined RCB for a fee of INR 30 lakh.

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Perry had been a key player for RCB in the title-winning season of 2024. She had scored a total of 347 runs in nine games, including two half-centuries and had also contributed well with the ball by clinching seven wickets. Despite not being ful;ly fit in the 2025 season, she once again gave a superb performance with the bat and hit 372 runs  in eight games, including four fifties. It is safe to say that it will be very hard for Sayali to fill the void left by Perry in the team for WPL 2026.

Sutherland also withdraws from WPL 2026

On the other hand, Delhi Capitals (DC) have also suffered a major blow as Annabel Sutherland has also withdrawn from WPL 2026 due to personal reasons. The  all-rounder had been retained by the franchise for INR 2.2 crore after her phenomenal performance in the 2025 campaign, but she has now decided to pull out of the upcoming WPL season. DC have decided to name Australia spinner Alana King as her replacement, roping her in for a fee of INR 60 lakh.

UP Warriorz make big change to the squad

Meanwhile, UP Warriorz have also decided to make a change to their squad  and have signed uncapped Australian all-rounder Charli Knott as the replacement for Tara Norris for INR 10 lakh. This comes after Norris was selected for USA's ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier in Nepal that will go on from January 18 to February 1.