In a stunning flip of occasions on the WPL 2026 mega auction on Thursday (November 27), Australia’s World Cup-winning captain Alyssa Healy went unsold, regardless of coming into the pool at a modest base worth of ₹50 lakh.
As the primary marquee participant referred to as, Healy drew no bids from any of the 5 franchises, and her title didn’t reappear within the accelerated spherical – an consequence that shocked fans across the cricket world.
Healy, one of the embellished wicketkeeper-batters within the fashionable sport, has scored 428 runs in 17 WPL matches at a strike charge of 130.48. Her latest performances within the Girls’s Large Bash League (BBL) additionally recommend that she nonetheless has the firepower to contribute on the highest stage.
Right here’s why Alyssa Healy went unsold within the 2026 WPL mega public sale
In response to WPL rules, franchises can subject solely 4 abroad gamers within the taking part in XI, a rule that considerably shapes public sale dynamics. Groups throughout the board prioritized multi-skilled all-rounders over specialist keeper-batters – a class the place Healy largely suits.
UP Warriorz assistant coach Abhishek Nayar defined that franchises leaned closely towards gamers who might affect a number of phases of the sport – batting, bowling, and fielding – to extract most worth from restricted abroad slots. With top-order abroad spots largely locked as a result of pre-auction retentions, Healy’s function didn’t align with the stability groups have been looking for.
One other main issue was Healy’s injury-hit 2025 season, throughout which she missed your complete WPL as a result of a foot damage. Though she returned with back-to-back ODI centuries in opposition to India and Bangladesh, considerations lingered about her reliability, particularly at age 35.
Her launch by the UP Warriorz, who had signed her for ₹70 lakh in 2023, additional indicated a shift towards constructing youthful, fitter, and extra adaptable squads. Some franchises have been additionally reportedly cautious of her inconsistent WBBL rhythm over the previous 12 months, prompting hesitation in committing large cash to a specialist top-order batter with out bowling utility.
Crew administration throughout franchises brazenly acknowledged that Healy’s omission was strategic relatively than performance-related. Anya Shrubsole, a part of RCB’s teaching group, famous that their lineup had “no out there house within the prime 5,” given their sturdy bench already that includes new recruit Georgia Voll.
The UP Warriorz, who have been anticipated to chase a well-recognized face, as an alternative targeted on new management choices, signing Meg Lanning for ₹1.9 crore and investing in rising expertise like Phoebe Litchfield. With abroad slots rapidly filling up, Healy didn’t reappear within the accelerated spherical – a transparent indication of her mismatch with franchise methods this 12 months.
Additionally, uncertainty over Healy’s health meant no workforce was keen to bid for her, particularly with the brand new WPL rule stating that no damage replacements might be permitted if a participant withdraws earlier than the beginning of the 2026 season.
Additionally READ: WPL 2026 Mega Auction – Complete list of unsold players
Evolving T20 traits spotlight all-round worth in WPL over participant’s repute
The highest buys of the public sale – Deepti Sharma (₹3.2 crore), Amelia Kerr (₹3 crore) and Shikha Pandey (₹2.4 crore) – highlighted the evolving nature of T20 cricket, the place all-rounders and dual-skill gamers dominate auctions, particularly in leagues with restricted abroad quotas.
Whereas Healy boasts a stellar T20I file of three,054 runs at a strike charge of 129.79, repute alone was not sufficient in a purse-constrained surroundings. She joins different skilled gamers like Heather Knight, Alana King and Tazmin Brits who additionally went unsold, underscoring a broader franchise mindset targeted on long-term rebuilding and roster versatility.
Additionally READ: WPL 2026 Auction – Complete squads of all 5 teams
This text was first printed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times firm.
