A major talking point at the WPL 2026 mega auction was the surprising omission of Australian powerhouse Alyssa Healy from all team rosters. The experienced wicket-keeper batter, a prominent figure in women’s cricket, was among the first marquee players listed but surprisingly received no bids. While many expected her to be picked up in the accelerated bidding process, no team registered interest, leaving her out of the tournament.
Several team coaches have since shared their perspectives on why the celebrated Australian cricketer went unsold. Abhishek Nayar, the head coach for the UP Warriorz, pointed to the strategic importance of overseas slots. He emphasized that with strict limits on foreign players per match, teams often opt for versatile all-rounders who can contribute with both bat and ball, creating a competitive landscape where specialist batters might face difficulties.
Similarly, Anya Shrubsole, coaching Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s women’s team, explained their team’s rationale. She mentioned that RCB’s top order is already exceptionally strong, and with the inclusion of players like Smriti Mandhana and the valuable all-round contributions from Georgia Wareham, bringing in another top-order specialist like Healy was not a priority. The presence of Richa Ghosh as their primary wicket-keeper batter further solidified their decision. Healy was available for Rs 50 lakh after her previous team, UP Warriorz, decided not to retain her.