The stage is set for the much-awaited Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 Auction, which is slated to take place on December 15 in Bengaluru. With a total of 120 players set to go under the hammer—91 Indian players, 29 overseas players, including 3 from Associate Nations—the auction promises high-stakes drama. While fans eagerly await the action, the absence of several big overseas stars has created quite a buzz.
Top international players missing from the WPL 2025 auction:
Suzie Bates (New Zealand)
A pioneer of women’s T20 cricket, Suzie Bates has been a consistent performer since her T20I debut in 2007. The New Zealand all-rounder has amassed 4,584 runs in 171 matches, with a career-best score of 124*. She holds the unique distinction of being the first player—male or female—to breach the 4,500-run mark in T20Is. Bates is also a handy bowler, with 59 wickets to her name. Despite her stellar career and experience in global leagues, Bates has yet to play in the WPL, and her absence from the 2025 auction is a significant talking point.
Lea Tahuhu (New Zealand)
Tahuhu, one of the fastest bowlers in women’s cricket, brings experience and firepower. With 93 wickets in 96 T20Is and a best of 4/6, she’s a proven match-winner. A lower-order hitter, Tahuhu was part of the Gujarat Giants in the inaugural WPL but played only two games. However, 2024 was a standout year for her, with 15 wickets to her credit. Surprisingly, she won’t feature in this year’s auction.
Issy Wong (England)
Known for her fiery pace, Issy Wong was a sensation during the 2023 WPL season, scalping 18 wickets in 10 matches, including a hat-trick. However, her 2024 campaign was lackluster, with just 3 wickets in 2 matches at an economy of 8.33. Mumbai Indians opted not to retain her, and Wong chose not to register for the auction, leaving fans wondering what’s next for this rising star.
Charlie Dean (England)
At just 23 years old, Charlie Dean has established herself as one of the premier off-spinners in cricket. The English bowler impressed in England’s recent series against South Africa, claiming 6 wickets in 3 matches. Across 36 T20Is, she has taken 46 wickets and scored 135 runs. Despite her growing reputation, Dean has yet to play in any franchise league apart from The Hundred. Her omission from the auction lineup is puzzling, given her impressive tally of 25 wickets in 19 matches in 2024.
Megan Schutt (Australia)
The Australian pace sensation, known for her incredible skills, was a key player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the inaugural WPL season. Over seven matches, she picked up four crucial wickets. However, her international credentials truly set her apart. With 145 wickets in 118 T20Is, including a career-best 5/15 against Pakistan, she remains one of the most feared bowlers in the game. In 2024, her form continued to impress as she added 15 wickets to her tally. Had she entered the auction, any franchise in search of a world-class overseas pacer would have jumped at the chance to secure her services.
Kathryn Bryce (Scotland)
The versatile all-rounder and Scottish skipper Kathryn Bryce had a quiet debut season with Gujarat Giants, scoring just 83 runs in 8 matches. However, 2024 marked a turnaround for her. Bryce shone with both bat and ball, scoring 253 runs in 9 matches at an average of 42.16, and bagging 11 wickets, including a sensational 4/8 in the T20 World Cup Qualifier semi-final against Ireland. Despite her resurgence, Bryce’s name is absent from the 2025 auction list.
With the WPL set to return in February 2025, the upcoming auction will be crucial for teams to finalize their squads. Stay tuned as the cricketing world awaits the dawn of another spectacular chapter in women’s T20 cricket!
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