WPL 2026: Annabel Sutherland & Tara Norris withdraw from upcoming season; Real reason revealed

The WPL 2026 will begin on January 9 with matches to be played in Navi Mumbai and Vadodara.

Delhi Capitals (DC) Women will be without their star Australian all-rounder Annabel Sutherland, who has pulled out of the upcoming edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL 2026) due to personal reasons.

During the Delhi Capitals‘ journey to the final last year, Sutherland also had a great season with the ball, taking nine wickets at an excellent economy of 7.57.

A list of substitutes was confirmed by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday afternoon due to the unavailability of multiple players for the fourth T20 elite competition.  

Sutherland was the second Australian all-rounder; earlier, Ellyse Perry, a star for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), withdrew from the WPL 2026 due to personal reasons.

Both players were retained by their respective franchises, the Delhi Capitals and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Australian spinner Alana King has replaced Sutherland.

At a reserve price of INR 60 lakh, King, who formerly played for the UP Warriorz, will join the Jemimah Rodrigues-led squad.

USA pacer Tara Norris will also miss the WPL 2026

Additionally, Tara Norris of the USA has withdrawn from the fourth WPL season. UP Warriorz signed her in the auction, but she will not be participating in the upcoming season.

The reason for her withdrawal is that Tara was selected for the national team for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, which is set to take place in Nepal from January 18 to February 1, 2026.

As her replacement, Australian all-rounder Charli Knott has joined the UP Warriorz. It’s interesting to note that Charli was signed for a reserve price of Rs 10 lakh. If allowed to play, she will try to provide her best effort as Warriorz try to win their first WPL championship.

The Women’s Premier League (WPL 2026) is all set to begin on Jan 9. This year’s tournament will be played across two venues, the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai and the BCA Stadium in Vadodara.

From January 9 to January 17, 11 games will take place in Mumbai. The league will then go to Vadodara, where the BCA Stadium will host the final 11 games, including the playoffs.

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