In a shocking flip of occasions on the WPL 2026 mega public sale on Thursday (November 27), Australia’s World Cup-winning captain Alyssa Healy went unsold, regardless of coming into the pool at a modest base value of ₹50 lakh.
As the primary marquee participant known as, Healy drew no bids from any of the 5 franchises, and her identify didn’t reappear within the accelerated spherical – an end result that shocked followers throughout the cricket world.
Healy, one of the crucial embellished wicketkeeper-batters within the trendy sport, has scored 428 runs in 17 WPL matches at a strike charge of 130.48. Her latest performances within the Ladies’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 accordance with WPL laws, 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 may 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 principally locked as a result of pre-auction retentions, Healy’s position didn’t align with the steadiness groups have been looking for.
One other main issue was Healy’s injury-hit 2025 season, throughout which she missed all the WPL as a result of a foot damage. Though she returned with back-to-back ODI centuries towards 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 huge cash to a specialist top-order batter with out bowling utility.
Group administration throughout franchises brazenly acknowledged that Healy’s omission was strategic moderately than performance-related. Anya Shrubsole, a part of RCB’s teaching group, famous that their lineup had “no accessible area within the high 5,” given their sturdy bench already that includes new recruit Georgia Voll.
The UP Warriorz, who have been anticipated to chase a well-known face, as a substitute 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 staff was keen to bid for her, particularly with the brand new WPL rule stating that no damage replacements will likely be permitted if a participant withdraws earlier than the beginning of the 2026 season.
Additionally READ: WPL 2026 Mega Public sale – Full listing of unsold gamers
Evolving T20 traits spotlight all-round worth in WPL over participant’s fame
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 document of three,054 runs at a strike charge of 129.79, fame alone was not sufficient in a purse-constrained setting. 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 Public sale – Full squads of all 5 groups
This text was first revealed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Occasions firm.
