The WPL 2026 auction started with a major shock for everyone watching. Alyssa Healy was the very first player up for bidding. But nobody raised their paddle for the Australian star wicketkeeper-batter.
Why No Team Picked Alyssa Healy
Alyssa Healy going unsold surprised fans across the world immediately after it happened. She played 17 matches for UP Warriorz over two Women Premier League seasons. Everyone expected at least one franchise to grab her for sure.
UP Warriorz coach Abhishek Nayar explained their decision to reporters after the auction. The team wanted all-rounders who could contribute with both bat and ball. Healy’s pure batting and keeping didn’t fit their new strategy for 2026.
“Alyssa Healy going unsold was surprising for different reasons. When you’re allowed only four overseas players, your options are limited, and many teams prefer all-rounders in their set-up. It’s a tough situation for someone of her stature,” Nayar said.
RCB also stayed away because they already had strong wicketkeeper-batters in place. Most franchises preferred players offering multiple skills rather than specialists this time. The auction dynamics had changed completely from previous years in the Women Premier League.
“We have a very strong top order, and Georgia Voll gives us some offspin as well. With Richa Ghosh [as a wicketkeeper-batter] in the top five, going for Healy didn’t make sense for us,” the RCB assistant coach said.
Fitness Concerns Played a Big Role
Alyssa Healy has been dealing with fitness problems since last year’s T20 World Cup. Her body hasn’t been cooperating the way it used to. These injury worries made franchises think twice about investing money in her.
She also struggled badly for rhythm during the recent WBBL season back home. Form and fitness both looked shaky when scouts watched her play lately. Teams need players who can deliver consistently throughout the entire 2026 tournament.
Going unsold at this auction must hurt after she went for ₹70 lakh before. But Alyssa Healy proved her class by smashing back-to-back hundreds in India. She scored centuries against Bangladesh and India during the Women’s World Cup 2025 recently.
The Bigger Picture of WPL 2026
Deepti Sharma became the costliest player at ₹3.2 crore during the mega auction. UP Warriorz used their RTM card to bring her back smartly. This shows franchises want match-winners who never miss games through injuries.
The Women Premier League in 2026 focuses heavily on all-round abilities now. Specialists going unsold signals a major shift in team-building strategies across franchises.
