Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) holds a historic place in the league as the second-ever champions, having famously secured their maiden title in 2024 by defeating Delhi Capitals in the final. Led by captain Smriti Mandhana, the team has experienced a rollercoaster journey, finishing 4th in both the inaugural 2023 season and the 2025 campaign, while peaking perfectly during their championship run. Across 26 total Women’s Premier League (WPL) matches, the franchise has recorded 11 wins and 14 losses, a record that includes the tournament’s first-ever Super Over heartbreaker in 2025.
RCB’s history is illuminated by world-class individual feats, most notably Ellyse Perry’s league-record bowling figures of 6/15 and her 2024 Orange Cap-winning performance. With a core featuring emerging local stars like Shreyanka Patil—who swept the Purple Cap and Emerging Player awards in 2024—the team heads into the 2026 season looking to regain the consistency that made them champions and below are the five names who could be the difference makers.
Smriti Mandhana
The skipper is truly the cornerstone of RCB, and she enters the 2026 season with an even more formidable track record. Across 26 WPL matches, Smriti has amassed 646 runs, proving her consistency at the top of the order with a healthy average of 24.84. Her strike rate of 128.68 remains a major threat to any bowling attack. Most notably, she has already notched up four half-centuries, with a WPL-best 81 against Delhi Capitals. She isn’t just about survival; she’s about authority, having sent the ball to the boundary 88 times and cleared the ropes for 20 sixes in her WPL journey so far. As she leads the team out once again, her poise and experience will be the heartbeat of RCB’s pursuit of another title.
Richa Ghosh
Richa Ghosh has transformed into arguably the most feared middle-order destroyer in the league, and her 2026 stats certainly back up that reputation. In 26 WPL innings, she has hammered 625 runs at a staggering strike rate of 150.96, making her one of the most efficient finishers in the game. What’s truly impressive is her ability to blend that raw power with reliability, having registered two crucial fifties and a top score of 62 during her time in the tournament. Her boundary-hitting is a spectacle in itself, with 70 fours and 30 sixes already to her name. Whether she is taking the game deep or exploding from the first ball, Richa’s finishing prowess makes her an indispensable match-winner for the Challengers.
Shreyanka Patil
A local favorite who has truly made the WPL stage her own, Shreyanka Patil is the wicket-taking heart of the RCB bowling attack. In 15 matches, she has already scalped 19 wickets, maintaining an impressive average of 22.05. Her career-best figures of 4/12 remain a highlight, showcasing her ability to rip through even the most set batting lineups. While she maintains an economy of 8.51, it’s her strike rate of 12.9 that makes her so valuable—she simply knows how to break partnerships when the captain needs a breakthrough. Shreyanka is also no slouch with the bat, having chipped in with 81 runs and a high score of 23, making her a vital all-round asset for the 2026 campaign.
Nadine de Klerk
Bringing a wealth of international pedigree to the side, Nadine de Klerk’s T20I numbers illustrate why she is such a highly regarded all-rounder on the world stage. With 52 wickets in 70 matches at an average of 24.65, she provides a disciplined and effective bowling option that any captain would love to have. Her economy rate of 7.31 is excellent for the shortest format, and her best bowling of 3/7 proves she can be incredibly clinical when the pressure is on. On the batting front, she has contributed 667 runs with the best of 44*, striking at 106.89. De Klerk is the kind of player who provides balance to the XI, capable of contributing to every phase of the game.
Grace Harris
Grace Harris is a genuine match-winner who brings sheer power and a fearless attitude to the middle order. Her WPL career stats are nothing short of elite, featuring 581 runs across 22 matches at a massive average of 32.27. She is not just consistent but also incredibly explosive, carrying a career strike rate of 140.33 with a personal best of 72. Her ability to clear the ropes is a hallmark of her game, having already collected 74 fours and 20 sixes. Beyond her batting, she is a versatile all-rounder who even claimed a sensational final-over hat-trick in the 2025 season. Whether she is demoralizing bowlers in the death overs or providing a breakthrough with her off-spin, Harris remains a certified X-factor for the 2026 campaign.
Loves all things female cricket