RCB set to prepare for life without the talismanic Ellyse Perry as they look to win their second WPL Trophy.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) had a dismal 2025, winning just three of their eight games and missing out on the knockout stages for the second time in three seasons after the high of their 2024 championship run. After defeating the Gujarat Giants and Delhi Capitals to start the season, RCB’s campaign was wrecked by five straight losses.
RCB will be without the services of their talismanic all-rounder Ellyse Perry. Despite being retained, Perry withdrew from the following season for personal reasons, leaving RCB without their top run scorer and fourth-highest wicket-taker in the WPL. Sayali Satghare, a fast-bowling all-rounder, has taken her spot.
RCB’s goal was to “pick the best bowling unit available” during the auction, and they have partially succeeded. The RCB team, which is full of all-rounders, has added several new players.
Lauren Bell is their fast bowling addition, and Pooja Vastrakar, Grace Harris, Arundhati Reddy, Nadine de Klerk, and Radha Yadav are also skilled batsmen. In terms of batting, they have 27-year-old Maharashtra top-order batsman Gautami Naik and Australia opener Georgia Voll.
Additionally, RCB’s backroom crew has a makeover. Luke Williams, who took over as head coach prior to the 2024 season but was unable to do so due to his obligations with the Adelaide Strikers in the BBL, is replaced as head coach by Rangarajan. Anya Shrubsole, a former England quick, has been appointed bowling coach.
Of the five teams, RCB may have the best bowling unit and had an amazing auction. They have three new-ball bowling options in Bell, Vastrakar, and Reddy, and de Klerk is a very useful middle-overs seamer. The spin-bowling attack will be led by Radha and Shreyanka Patil, with Harris filling in as needed.
Additionally, RCB had their sights set on a number of strong fielders during the auction. However, it is unclear how they will manage without Perry, who has been their mainstay for the previous three seasons. Without Perry, Smriti Mandhana’s captaincy will also be put to the test.
The lack of a seasoned top-order Indian hitter behind Mandhana is another issue for RCB. While Dayalan Hemalatha hasn’t accomplished much in her few WPL appearances, Naik remains untested at the highest level.