Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will feel the impact of star Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry’s withdrawal from the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) season due to personal reasons, according to former India skipper Anjum Chopra. Perry, the second-highest run-scorer in WPL history, was retained by RCB for INR 2 crore, but her absence leaves a significant gap in the team. RCB has signed pace-bowling allrounder Sayali Satghare as her replacement.
Another blow came when seam-bowling all-rounder Annabel Sutherland withdrew from the competition for DC due to personal reasons, with leg-spinner Alana King stepping in as her replacement. Anjum Chopra highlighted that while both teams are affected by these withdrawals, RCB seems to be more greatly impacted due to Perry’s absence.
Anjum Chopra noted that RCB’s decision not to sign any additional players after Sayali’s recruitment as Perry’s replacement indicates they believe their team is well-balanced. With only one player missing out, RCB will need to strategize around their seam-bowling options to compensate for Perry’s absence.
Anjum Chopra emphasized the challenges RCB faces in filling their four overseas slots, particularly in deciding who will partner skipper Smriti Mandhana in opening the batting. The absence of Ellyse Perry raises questions about the team’s batting lineup, with contenders like Georgia Voll and Grace Harris being considered to open alongside Smriti.
