Australian bowling all-rounder Jess Jonassen has reportedly pulled out of the upcoming Women’s Premier League auction due to injury concerns, dealing a blow to franchises targeting experienced overseas talent ahead of the league’s first mega-auction.
According to a report in ESPNCricinfo, Jonassen’s withdrawal was announced to the teams during the WPL’s pre-auction briefing on Wednesday. The 33-year-old is understood to be recovering from a long-standing shoulder problem and will not be available for selection.
This development comes despite Jonassen enjoying a standout year on the circuit. She was named player of the tournament in the WBBL after taking 17 wickets and contributing valuable runs at an average of 43.60. She also finished as the third-highest wicket-taker in WPL 2025, marking her second consecutive top-five finish, and recently impressed in The Hundred with figures of 4 for 10.
Jonassen, who has represented Delhi Capitals in previous editions, has been among the most influential performers in the WPL since its inception, winning five Player-of-the-Match awards – a tally surpassed only by India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who leads the charts with seven.
The WPL also informed the franchises that batsman Pratika Rawal, wicketkeeper-batsman Yastika Bhatia and seamer VJ Joshitha are currently injured, though their names remain in the auction pool. If selected by any franchise, they will be ineligible as part of the mandatory 15-man squad and teams will not be able to trade for them.
Meanwhile, Indian fast bowler Pooja Vastrakar has been declared not fully fit but will still enter the auction, while pacer Kashvee Gautam has been cleared to participate.
Alyssa Healy, Meg Lanning, Amelia Kerr and Laura Wolvaardt headline the marquee that will open the selection process on Thursday. Indian stars Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh join the top group as two local players.
277 players will participate in the WPL 2026 auction to go under the hammer, including 194 Indian and 83 overseas cricketers, with the five franchises aiming to fill up to 73 spots in the squad. The team size will vary between 15 and 18 players.
UP Warriorz enter the auction with the highest purse of Rs 14.5 crore, while Delhi Capitals have the lowest of Rs 5.70 crore.
Since its inception in 2023, the WPL has seen several high-profile signings, with Smriti Mandhana still holding the record after being bought by Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women for Rs 3.40 crore in the inaugural season. Nat Sciver-Brunt followed close behind with Rs 3.20 crore for Mumbai Indians Women.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
November 27, 2025
