Winners of WPL (Women’s Premier League) 2024 Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have announced a crucial change in their coaching setup ahead of the next season that will take place in the first couple of months of 2026. Former England pacer and 2017 ODI World cup winner Anya Shrubsole has been appointed as the team’s new bowling coach, marking her first-ever stint in the franchise-based Indian league.
Shrubsole will be working alongside Malolan Rangarajan, who has been promoted to head coach for the upcoming season. Rangarajan, a former Tamil Nadu spinner, replaces Luke Williams, who will not be available this time because of his commitments with the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League (BBL).
The reshuffle comes after a scheduling clash, with the WPL moved forward by a month. The tournament will most likely begin on January 8 and wrap up in early February.
Shrubsole, one of England’s most successful bowlers, was part of the 2017 World Cup-winning team. She retired from international cricket in 2022 after playing 8 Tests, 86 ODIs and 79 T20Is.
Since then, she has taken up coaching duties and even worked as assistant coach and player under legendary England captain Charlotte Edwards for the Southern Vipers. Her move to RCB will be her first coaching role in the WPL. She takes over from Sunetra Paranjape, who held the position until last season.
Meanwhile, Rangarajan has been a key and consistent figure in RCB’s women’s setup since the inaugural season of the league. Over the past three years, he has worked with coaches like Ben Sawyer, Mike Hesson, and most recently Luke Williams.
Apart from his WPL duties, he also serves as the lead scout for RCB’s men’s team. Rangarajan was part of the title-winning campaign in 2024, when RCB lifted their first WPL trophy, and also the 2025 season, where the team narrowly missed the knockouts and finished fourth.
RCB’s support staff will also see some familiar faces returning. R. Muralidhar will continue as batting coach, while Navnita Gautam is expected to remain as the head physiotherapist.
Rangarajan’s first responsibility as head coach will be to finalize the team’s retention before the November 5 deadline. The WPL mega auction is likely to take place on November 27 in New Delhi.
After two fourth place finishes in three years and a memorable title win in 2024, RCB will look to rebuild their winning rhythm under Rangarajan and Shrubsole. The franchise now aims to repeat its women’s success, especially after the men’s team followed suit in 2025, finally winning their first-ever IPL trophy.
(Inputs sourced from ESPN Cricinfo)
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