It’s the same skill set, but she cannot be the same player

Former Indian pacer Aakash Chopra opines that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have suffered a major blow ahead of WPL 2026 due to the unavailability of Ellyse Perry. He stressed that Siali Satgari, Perry’s replacement, does not match the skill level of the Australian all-rounder.

WPL 2026 is scheduled to begin on January 9 with a clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and RCB in Navi Mumbai. Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland have withdrawn from the fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League due to personal reasons.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, ‘Aakash Chopra’, the former India opener believes that RCB and Delhi Capitals have been hit hard by the unavailability of Perry and Sutherland, with Satgar, the former’s replacement, not having the same skill level as the all-rounder.

“Ellyse Perry is not coming. Annabelle Sutherland is not coming either. So, RCB and Delhi Capitals in the WPL have been hit hard. The WPL is about to start in the first week of January, and Ellyse Perry has said she will not come,” Chopra said.

“RCB were the winners and they suffered a slight blow by not having Ellyse Perry. They kept Sayali Satgari as a substitute. It is the same skill set, but she cannot be the same player because Ellyse Perry’s skill level is very, very different,” he added.

Ellyse Perry scored 972 runs and took 14 wickets in 25 matches in the WPL. Sayali Satghare has scored 20 points and caused a solitary ejection in four matches in the WPL.

“She’s not Annabel Sutherland’s replacement” – Aakash Chopra on Alana King as new DC signing heading into WPL 2026

In the same video, Akash Chopra pointed out that Alana King is not the ideal replacement for Annabel Sutherland.

“Alana King has replaced Annabel Sutherland at Delhi Capitals. Again, she is not Annabel Sutherland’s replacement. Annabel Sutherland, medium pace and batting, batting is gun batting,” he said.

While acknowledging that King is a strong bowler, the cricketer-turned-commentator added that the leg-spinner was no match for Sutherland’s ability with the bat.

“Alanna King, a decent spinner with good batting, not a great option batsman. One-day cricket – well, T20 – fifty-fifty. Had a great World Cup, but she’s not sold for whatever reason. I feel both teams will look a bit weak in the absence of Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland because they are two-armed players who are no longer around,” Chopra noted.

Tara Norris will also not be available for WPL 2026 as she has been named in the USA squad for the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup qualifiers. UP Warriorz (UPW) has selected Australian all-rounder Charlie Knott as their replacement.