A few weeks out from the upcoming 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL), defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have confirmed a significant development by signing England’s spin-bowling all-rounder Charlie Dean as a replacement for the injured Sophie Molineux.
Molineux sustained a knee issue during Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 10 while captaining her side Melbourne Renegades to their maiden title. The issue worsened during the subsequent ODI series against India, ruling her out of Australia’s tour of New Zealand and the ongoing Ashes series. Consequently, her availability for WPL 2025 remained in doubt.
The 26-year-old left-arm off-spinner played a pivotal role in her inaugural WPL stint last year, contributing significantly to RCB’s success. She claimed 12 wickets in 10 matches with an impressive economy rate of 7.31 and also proved handy with the bat. In the low-scoring final, she delivered a standout performance, returning figures of 3/20, scalping the key wickets of Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Alice Capsey.
Molineux’s extensive WBBL experience of over 100 games, combined with her international and domestic exposure, is a significant loss to RCB’s preparations. However, the signing of Charlie Dean has largely mitigated the impact. The 24-year-old right-arm spinner has an impressive record, claiming 122 wickets in 78 internationals across formats. In 36 T20Is, she has scalped 46 wickets at an economy rate of 6.91, while also proving to be a reliable contributor with the bat.
Dean’s success in white-ball cricket has been extraordinary. Most recently, during England’s tour of South Africa, she top-scored for her team in an ODI with an unbeaten 47. In the second ODI, she claimed a remarkable hat-trick with the ball, becoming the first England bowler in 25 years to achieve such a feat in a Women’s ODI. Her ability to contribute as an all-rounder makes her a natural fit for a spot in the XI.
The Challengers staged a remarkable turnaround last season, bouncing back from a fourth-place finish in the inaugural WPL season. With four wins they advanced to the Eliminator, where they defeated the inaugural champions Mumbai Indians for a spot in the Final, which they dominated with an 8-wicket victory, bowling out Delhi Capitals for just 113 runs.
Retaining most of their squad and seasoned players such as Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Renuka Singh, Richa Ghosh, and Shreyanka Patil, among others, the Challengers also made a strategic trade, acquiring Danni Wyatt-Hodge from the UP Warriorz. They further strengthened their squad for WPL 2025, aiming to defend their title, by adding Prema Rawat, Joshitha VJ, Raghvi Bist, and Jagravi Pawar to their mix during the auction.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad for WPL 2025:
Smriti Mandhana (C), Sabbineni Meghana, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Georgia Wareham, Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, Sophie Devine, Renuka Singh, Charlie Dean, Ekta Bisht, Kate Cross, Kanika Ahuja, Danni Wyatt, Prema Rawat, Joshitha VJ, Raghvi Bist, Jagravi Pawar
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