In a significant development for the Women’s Premier League (WPL), 35-year-old Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry has withdrawn from the upcoming 4th edition starting January 9, 2026, citing personal reasons.
The star player, who has been the cornerstone for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) since their debut in 2023, leaves a massive void in the squad led by skipper Smriti Mandhana. Sayali Satghare steps in as her replacement, as RCB gears up to reclaim their title after their maiden triumph in 2024 amid high expectations.
Perry’s absence is a jolt for RCB, the 2024 champions who ended a 17-year franchise-level title drought by thrashing Delhi Capitals, then led by Meg Lanning, by 8 wickets in the final on March 17, 2024, at Arun Jaitley Stadium. RCB’s journey, however, has been a rollercoaster: a dismal fourth in 2023 (2 wins from 8), glory in 2024, and another fourth place in 2025 despite Perry’s heroics.
Ellyse Perry redefined all-round dominance in the WPL, amassing 972 runs at a staggering strike rate of 132.96 and an average of 64.80 across 25 innings for RCB, making her the franchise’s leading run-scorer and the tournament’s second-highest overall, with 8 half-centuries. Her pinnacle came on February 24, 2025, against UP Warriorz at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, where she smashed 90* (56 balls) with 9 fours and 3 sixes, powering RCB to 180/6 in a tied thriller that UPW edged via Super Over.
With the ball, Perry snared 14 wickets at an average of 30.85 and an economy of 8.25 in 20 innings, ranking fourth for RCB and boasting a five-wicket haul. Her standout spell arrived on March 12, 2024, against the Mumbai Indians (led by Harmanpreet Kaur), dismantling them for 113 with breathless figures of 4-0-15-6. RCB chased it down with 7 wickets in hand, earning her Player of the Match.
WPL 2023 (Inaugural Edition): 253 runs (SR 123.41, Avg 42.16, 2 Fifties) in 8 innings; 4 wickets (Avg 48.50, Econ 8.31, best: 3/16), in 8 innings
WPL 2024 (2nd Edition): 347 runs (SR 125.72, Avg 69.40, 2 fifties) in 9 innings; 7 wickets (Avg 15.57, Econ 6.81, best 6/15) in 9 innings.
WPL 2025 (3rd Edition): 372 runs (SR 148.80, Avg 93, 4 fifties) in 8 innings; 3 wickets (Avg 43, Econ 9.92) in 5 innings.
She debuted for RCB on March 5, 2023, against Delhi Capitals at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai, instantly signaling her impact.
Perry’s timing comes fresh off a bittersweet ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, where Australia exited in the second semi-final on October 30, 2025, at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. India clinched a tense 5-wicket win, propelled by Jemimah Rodrigues’ maiden ODI World Cup ton (127* off 134, 14 fours) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s 89 (88 balls, 10 fours, 2 sixes). Rodrigues earned Player of the Match. Perry contributed 175 runs (SR 80.64, Avg 35, 1 fifty) in 6 innings across 7 matches.
RCB retained a powerhouse core ahead of the mega auction: Mandhana (3.50 Cr), Richa Ghosh (WK, 2.75 Cr), Perry (2 Cr), and Shreyanka Patil (0.60 Cr), plus RTM pick Prema Rawat (0.20 Cr). With a 6.15 Cr purse, they smartly added Nadine de Klerk, Lauren Bell, Grace Harris, Arundhati Reddy, and Georgia Voll, blending all-round firepower, pace, and spin under new head coach Malolan Rangarajan.
RCB Squad for WPL 2026
Smriti Mandhana (C), Richa Ghosh (WK), Ellyse Perry*, Shreyanka Patil, Georgia Voll, Kumar Prathyoosha (WK), Dayalan Hemalatha, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Prema Rawat (RTM), Nadine de Klerk, Grace Harris, Gautami Naik, Lauren Bell, Linsey Smith. (*Perry replaced by Sayali Satghare)
Mandhana’s leadership, Ghosh’s explosiveness, and all-rounders like de Klerk and Harris offer balance. Spinners Patil, Yadav, and Smith provide variety, crucial in T20s. Despite DC’s stranglehold as perennial runners-up, RCB eyes a 2024 repeat.
The 4th edition runs January 9 to February 5, 2026: Phase 1 at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai; Phase 2 at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara. RCB opens against defending champions Mumbai Indians (Harmanpreet Kaur) on January 9 at 7:30 PM IST, DY Patil, a blockbuster rematch.
Perry’s exit tests RCB’s depth, but their auction savvy and Mandhana’s tactics position them as contenders. As women’s cricket surges, this storyline adds intrigue. Can RCB conquer without their talisman?
Loves all things female cricket