Jess Jonassen Ruled Out of WPL 2026 Mega Auction
In a significant development for the upcoming Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction, Australian all-rounder Jess Jonassen has been officially withdrawn from the player pool. The decision comes as a direct result of a persistent shoulder injury that the left-arm spin bowler has been managing for an extended period.
Injury Details and Impact on Teams
Despite currently featuring for the Brisbane Heat in the Women's Big Bash League, Jonassen's shoulder issue has forced her out of the WPL auction. This crucial update was formally relayed to all the franchises during the mandatory pre-auction meeting. The news has sent team strategists back to the drawing board, as Jonassen's absence creates a major void in the left-arm spin department.
A source revealed that several teams were keen on acquiring her services, especially after fellow left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux did not register for the auction. With Jonassen's unavailability confirmed just a day before the event, franchises are now actively discussing backup plans. This situation is expected to increase the demand and potentially inflate the bidding price for other available left-arm spinners, particularly those in the Indian players' pool.
Other Players in the Injury List
The franchises were also notified about injuries to three Indian players who, unlike Jonassen, will remain in the auction pool. These players are opener Pratika Rawal, who is recovering from an ankle injury sustained during the World Cup match against Bangladesh; wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia, who underwent ACL surgery after a knee injury; and uncapped seamer VJ Joshitha.
It is important to note that if any of these injured players are selected, teams cannot count them towards the mandatory 15-member squad requirement, and no replacements will be permitted. In a separate case, India’s Pooja Vastrakar, who is currently undergoing rehab in Bengaluru, will also remain in the auction. She previously played for the Mumbai Indians but missed the 2025 season due to injury.
Shift in Auction Dynamics
Jonassen's withdrawal is set to reshuffle the deck for the mega auction. The focus now shifts to other prominent left-arm spin bowling options such as England's Sophie Ecclestone, South Africa's Chloe Tryon, and Indian players like N Sree Charani and Radha Yadav. The Indian domestic pool also offers alternatives including Tanuja Kanwer, Mannat Kashyap, and Triveni Vasistha, who may see increased interest.
The mega auction will commence with a marquee set featuring eight top players: Sophie Ecclestone, Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur, Alyssa Healy, Meg Lanning, Laura Wolvaardt, Sophie Devine, and Amelia Kerr. The absence of a seasoned campaigner like Jess Jonassen undoubtedly adds a new layer of intrigue to the high-stakes bidding process.
