New Delhi, Nov 27 (NationPress) Just hours before the commencement of the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) mega auction, Jess Jonassen, the Australian left-arm spin bowling all-rounder, has been excluded from the player pool due to an injury.

According to sources familiar with the situation, Jess's absence was officially communicated to all five franchises during the essential pre-auction briefing held on Wednesday.

Jess has been a significant part of the Delhi Capitals (DC) over the initial three WPL seasons, where the team notably secured runner-up positions each time.

While she is currently playing for Brisbane Heat in the ongoing Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), it’s reported that a long-standing shoulder issue is the cause of her withdrawal from the WPL auction and the subsequent season.

“Several teams were interested in acquiring her at the auction, especially since Sophie Molineux opted out, but plans have shifted due to her unavailability being confirmed just a day before,” sources indicated.

“It wouldn’t be surprising if other left-arm spinners, particularly those from India, garner increased attention or higher bids during the mega auction,” they added.

Other notable left-arm spin bowling talents, who double as all-rounders, include Sophie Ecclestone from England, Chloe Tryon from South Africa, and India’s own N Sree Charani, Radha Yadav, and Tanuja Kanwer, alongside emerging talents like Parunika Sisodia, Bharti Rawal, Vaishavi Sharma, Ayushee Shukla, Mannat Kashyap, Shuchi Upadhyay, and Triveni Vasistha.

Additionally, in the pre-auction briefing, it was disclosed that India opener Pratika Rawal, wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia, and uncapped seamer VJ Joshitha are also dealing with injuries, although they remain listed in the auction pool.

Pratika is in recovery from an ankle injury incurred during a World Cup league match against Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai, while Yastika underwent ACL surgery after suffering a knee injury during a pre-tournament camp in Visakhapatnam.

It has also been noted that these injured players cannot be included in the mandatory 15-member squad (with a maximum squad strength of 18), and if selected, teams will not be permitted to secure replacements for them.

Furthermore, Pooja Vastrakar, India’s seam-bowling all-rounder, is still recovering from shoulder surgery, but her name will still appear in the auction list. Pooja has been part of Mumbai Indians in the first two WPL seasons, including their victorious 2023 campaign, before her injury sidelined her for the 2025 season.

The 2026 WPL mega auction will kick off with the marquee set featuring eight players – Sophie, the Indian duo of Deepti Sharma and Renuka Singh Thakur, followed by the Australian pair of Alyssa Healy and Meg Lanning, South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, and the New Zealand duo of Sophie Devine and Amelia Kerr.