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The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team will embark on the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 season with immense expectations, following their historic title victory in 2024. Their maiden championship triumph was a watershed moment, not just for the women’s squad but for the entire RCB franchise, which had long been in search of silverware across both men’s and women’s competitions. Now, with the target firmly on their back, the team heads into WPL 2025 determined to defend their crown and solidify their status as a dominant force in women’s cricket.
Strategic squad reinforcements ahead of WPL 2025
In preparation for the new season, RCB focused on strengthening their squad with a mix of experienced players and rising domestic stars. At the auction, the team made a bold move by securing Uttarakhand’s talented spin-bowling all-rounder Prema Rawat for INR 1.2 crore, recognizing her potential to be a game-changer. To add further depth, they acquired two promising Indian all-rounders – pace-bowling sensation Joshitha VJ and Raghvi Bist, who recently made her India WT20I debut against the West Indies. These signings indicate RCB’s emphasis on creating a versatile squad capable of adapting to different match situations. Additionally, they strengthened their spin department with the addition of Mumbai off-spinner Jagravi Pawar, who is expected to play a crucial role on slow and turning pitches.
First-ever WPL trade and key injury replacement
RCB also made history by executing the first-ever trade in WPL history, acquiring England’s experienced opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge from UP Warriorz. The move was aimed at bolstering the top order with an aggressive, reliable batter who has years of experience at the highest level. Wyatt’s inclusion adds a dynamic element to the team, particularly in powerplay overs, where her attacking approach can put opposition bowlers on the back foot.
In a post-auction development, RCB secured England off-spinner Charlie Dean as an injury replacement for Australia’s left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux, who was ruled out of WPL 2025 due to a knee injury. Dean’s ability to control the middle overs and take crucial wickets makes her a valuable addition to the squad, ensuring RCB retains a balanced bowling attack despite Molineux’s absence.
Also READ: Suresh Raina unveils new captain of UP Warriorz for WPL 2025
RCB’s best playing XI for the Women’s Premier League
1. Smriti Mandhana (Captain, Opener)
- Role: Left-handed opening batter and captain, responsible for setting the tempo
- Strength: Elegant stroke play, exceptional timing, and adaptability to different match situations
- Impact: Provides solid starts, leads from the front, and ensures stability in the top order with her experience and composure
2. Danni Wyatt (Opener)
- Role: Aggressive right-handed opener who complements Smriti with attacking intent
- Strength: Power-hitting in the powerplay, versatility against pace and spin, and vast international experience
- Impact: Gives RCB explosive starts, capitalizes on fielding restrictions, and adds depth to the batting lineup
3. Sabbineni Meghana (Top-order Batter)
- Role: Reliable top-order batter who can anchor or accelerate as needed
- Strength: Strong backfoot play, ability to counter spinners, and consistent run-scoring ability
- Impact: Holds the innings together, builds crucial partnerships, and provides flexibility in batting approach
4. Ellyse Perry (All-rounder)
- Role: Middle-order batter and medium-pace bowler, a true match-winner
- Strength: Unmatched composure under pressure, effective medium pace, and world-class finishing ability
- Impact: Strengthens both departments, controls the middle overs, and steps up in high-pressure chases
5. Richa Ghosh (Wicketkeeper, Finisher)
- Role: Aggressive wicketkeeper-batter, specializing in finishing games
- Strength: Hard-hitting ability, quick hands behind the stumps, and clutch performances under pressure
- Impact: Provides late-innings firepower, accelerates the scoring rate, and ensures stability with her keeping skills
6. Kanika Ahuja (Batting All-rounder)
- Role: Dynamic middle-order batter and left-arm spin option
- Strength: Hard-hitting abilities, effective spin bowling, and fearless approach in crunch situations
- Impact: Adds balance to the squad, chips in with crucial breakthroughs, and provides depth in both batting and bowling
7. Kim Garth (Bowling All-rounder)
- Role: Right-arm pacer and lower-order batter, offering control and variations
- Strength: Swing bowling, death-over precision, and valuable lower-order contributions
- Impact: Contains runs in crucial phases, provides breakthroughs with movement, and strengthens the team’s depth
8. Shreyanka Patil (Off-spin All-rounder)
- Role: Emerging off-spinner and aggressive lower-order hitter
- Strength: Variations in flight, effective in middle overs, and ability to hit big shots under pressure
- Impact: Provides crucial wickets in middle overs, maintains economy, and adds power to the batting lineup
9. Charlie Dean (Off-spinner)
- Role: Specialist off-spinner, capable of controlling the middle overs
- Strength: Smart variations, accuracy, and ability to deceive batters with subtle changes in pace
- Impact: Keeps opposition batters in check, creates pressure, and takes key middle-over wickets
10. Asha Sobhana (Leg-spinner)
- Role: Attacking leg-spinner, crucial for breakthroughs
- Strength: Sharp turn, aggressive mindset, and ability to trouble batters with flight and googlies
- Impact: Breaks partnerships, maintains pressure in the middle overs, and provides a wicket-taking threat
11. Renuka Singh Thakur (Fast Bowler)
- Role: Lead pacer, responsible for new-ball spells and death-over execution
- Strength: Swing bowling, accuracy, and ability to strike early in the innings
- Impact: Dismantles top orders, delivers pinpoint yorkers, and controls the pace attack effectively
