As the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 approaches its much-anticipated fourth edition, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), already signaled their intent to compete fiercely by locking in four key players ahead of the Mega Auction on 27th November 2025 in New Delhi.
Under the leadership of captain Smriti Mandhana, RCB, the 2024 WPL champions, have reinforced their squad, brimming with experience, talent, and hunger after a mixed run in previous seasons.
RCB’s journey in the WPL has been a tale of highs and lows. Their inaugural season in 2023 was challenging, finishing fourth on the points table with just two wins from eight matches. However, the franchise bounced back spectacularly in 2024, clinching their maiden WPL title by overpowering Delhi Capitals by eight wickets in the fiercely contested final.
This triumph was a landmark for RCB, marking their first title and preceding the men’s IPL side’s maiden title win in 2025 under Rajat Patidar. Despite another fourth-place finish in the 2025 season, RCB remains a formidable force, fueled by strategic planning and elite players.
Ahead of the Mega Auction, RCB retained four pivotal players: skipper Smriti Mandhana (retained at 3.50 crore INR), wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh (2.75 crore INR), the Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry (2 crore INR), and off-spinner Shreyanka Patil (60 lakhs INR). This core retention blend ensures a balance of aggressive batting, sharp wicketkeeping, experience from overseas league stalwarts, and spin bowling variety.
With one RTM slot remaining reserved for an uncapped Indian player, which was exercised for Prema Rawat [20 Lakhs]. RCB entered the auction with a purse of 6.15 crore INR and the flexibility to fill 11 to 14 squad slots, including five overseas player spots. The acquisition of the likes of Nadine de Klerk, Lauren Bell, Grace Harris, Arundhati Reddy, and Georgia Voll has been the stand-out buys for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru unit, led by skipper Smriti Mandhana and the new head coach Malolan Rangarajan, aiming to reclaim their championship title in the upcoming edition in 2026.
RCB Squad for WPL 2026:
Smriti Mandhana (C), Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Shreyanka Patil, Georgia Voll, Kumar Prathyoosha, Dayalan Hemalatha, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Prema Rawat, Nadine de Klerk, Grace Harris, Gautami Naik, Lauren Bell, Linsey Smith
The leadership of Smriti Mandhana, a proven match-winner and tactician, remains the driving force behind RCB’s ambitions. Alongside her, Richa Ghosh’s explosive batting and reliable glovework add depth, while Ellyse Perry, Nadine de Klerk, and Grace Harris, all-round excellence, bring a wealth of international experience crucial for crunch moments. Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, and Linsey Smith spin options further cement RCB’s bowling attack, offering tactical variations that have become essential in T20 cricket.
The Mega Auction presented a pivotal moment for RCB to strengthen their lineup with fresh Indian talent and experienced overseas players. Balancing the squad to maintain a competitive edge across batting, bowling, and all-round capabilities will be key. With the Delhi Capitals historically proving tough rivals, finishing runners-up in all three editions so far, RCB’s blueprint for a strong 2026 campaign hinged on smart acquisitions and synergy within the team framework from the auction table to the field.
As the early glimpse of the strategy reveals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are determined to build on their redemption story and replicate the championship success of 2024 while aiming to break into the top tiers consistently. The WPL’s growing stature and competitive intensity make RCB’s team-building journey a compelling storyline as cricket fans eagerly await the unfolding drama of the 2026 season.
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