Alyssa Healy Goes Unsold at WPL 2026 Auction as Teams Prioritise Flexibility and Allround Options

One of the biggest surprises of the WPL 2026 auction in Delhi was the absence of any bids for Australia’s senior wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy. Despite being the first player drawn from the marquee list, Healy went unsold not once but twice, as teams chose not to list her even in the accelerated round.

Teams appeared initially to be keeping their options open, but when the second chance came, none opted to revisit her name. After the auction, team coaches clarified why one of the most established international players remained without a franchise.

RCB assistant coach Anya Shrubsole stated that Healy did not fit their squad balance. With a strong top order and Richa Ghosh secured as the frontline wicketkeeper-batter, RCB saw no place for Healy within their top five. The presence of Georgia Voll, who offers both batting and offspin, further reduced the need for another specialist batter.

UP Warriorz head coach Abhishek Nayar, whose franchise had previously signed Healy for INR 70 lakh across the first two seasons, called the situation “unfortunate.” He explained that the restriction of only four overseas players in the XI heavily influences auction strategy, with teams leaning towards overseas allrounders to maximise tactical flexibility. In such conditions, even a player of Healy’s stature can find herself overlooked.

Delhi Capitals head coach Jonathan Batty indicated that Healy was on their radar, but the franchise ultimately opted to prioritise overall flexibility in squad construction.

Healy entered the auction at a base price of INR 50 lakh after being released by UPW. A foot injury kept her out of the previous season, but she has an impressive WPL record with 428 runs in 17 matches at a strike rate of 130.48. She is currently representing Sydney Sixers in the WBBL and recently hit back-to-back ODI World Cup centuries against India and Bangladesh.

Despite the demand for wicketkeepers in this auction, franchises opted for alternative options. Gujarat Giants secured Yastika Bhatia for INR 50 lakh to complement Beth Mooney, while Delhi Capitals picked up Lizelle Lee and Taniya Bhatia for a combined INR 60 lakh. UP Warriorz went with young Shipra Giri for INR 10 lakh, while MI and RCB stuck with their retained keepers.

Healy was not the only prominent overseas player to go unsold. England’s Heather Knight and Alice Capsey, Australia’s Alana King, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Darcie Brown, and Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu also found no takers.

New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr emerged as the highest-paid overseas player of the auction, signing with Mumbai Indians for INR 3 crore. Gujarat Giants picked up Sophie Devine for INR 2 crore, while UP Warriorz secured Meg Lanning for INR 1.90 crore.