Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) enters a new era. After their high Women’s Premier League 2024 title and the disappointment of 2025, the franchise underwent a major tactical overhaul in the November 2025 Mega Auction.
RCB superstar Ellyse Perry has withdrawn from WPL 2026
But the biggest shockwave hit the camp just three days ago: Ellyse Perry has officially retired from WPL 2026 due to personal reasons. Instead, RCB signed Mumbai’s domestic advantage Sayali Satghare. This unexpected change forced the management to shift from ‘reliance on star power’ to a more balanced, role-based ‘India core’ strategy. With the opening of the opposite season Mumbai Indians Scheduled to be held at the DY Patil Stadium on January 9, the team is struggling to integrate new international signings. Lauren Bell and Grace Harris now it has become a unit that must learn to thrive without its biggest legend.
RCB’s Top 11 for WPL 2026
1. Smriti Mandhana (Captain): The heartthrob of the franchise, Smriti enters 2026 after a prolific international season that saw her dominate on home soil in the 2025 Women’s World Cup. His aggressive anchor role is more critical than ever in Perry’s absence; he remains the most expensive Indian player in the history of the league and averages 38.45 and 138 in T20Is in the last 12 months.
2. Georgia Voll (Overseas – AUS): Signed for INR 60 Lakh in the mega auction, Voll is an explosive solution to RCB’s opening woes. A rising star from the Big Bash, he recently made headlines by becoming one of the youngest to score a domestic T20 century. His “look the ball, hit the ball” approach allows Mandhana freedom of positioning and provides RCB with a much-needed right-left dynamic at the top.
3. Relying on Hemalatha: Secured for INR 30 Lakh, the Hemalatha is a top-of-the-line tactical bridge. After a resurgent 2025 international season, he has demonstrated his ability to spin through the middle, providing the stability required at No.3. His experience in high-pressure Indian conditions makes him a reliable backup in aggressive openings.
4. Grace Harris (Overseas – AUS): A ‘powerhouse’ of the middle order, Harris was a steal at INR 75 Lakh. With a career T20I strike rate of 155+, he is the designated ‘spin-killer’. In a line-up lacking Perry’s consistency, Harris’ ability to clear the boundary at will and his handy off-spin make him the most important outside player in the XI.
5. Richa Ghosh (Wicketkeeper): No. 1 in world cricket, Richa’s stock has never been higher. With 40 (16)* in the 4th T20I against Sri Lanka last week, he enters WPL 2026 in red-hot form. His power hitting in the ‘death overs’ (16-20 overs) remains RCB’s biggest weapon in turning their 150-run total into 180+.
6. Nadine de Klerk (Overseas – SA): Re-signed for INR 65 Lakh, de Klerk is now a frontline seam bowling all-rounder after Perry’s exit. He proved himself by scoring 2 goals in the semi-finals of the 2025 World Cup. He provides ‘glue’ in the lower middle order, can play long shots or provide 4 disciplined medium pace.
7. Pooja Vastrakar: RCB broke the bank to provide India’s best pacer. Vastrakar brings elite death bowling and low order pyrotechnics. After the 2025 international season, India’s leading wicket-taker in the Powerplay, his dual-threat ability offers RCB the balance it lacked in previous years.
8. Shreyanka Patil: The 2024 ‘Purple Cap’ hero returns to full fitness in 2025 after suffering a calf injury. His return is a big boost; he recently proved his rhythm in the Women’s CPL 2025 and his ability to tackle tough off-spin in the Powerplay and at the death is unmatched in the league.
9. Radha Yadav: A high-intensity left-arm spinner and world-class fielder, Radha was brought in to strengthen the spin unit. His 75+ T20I international experience and ability to squeeze runs in the medium overs (economy 6.40 in 2025) make him the perfect partner for Shreyanka.
10. Arundhati Reddy: Reddy joins RCB for INR 75 Lakh after a career-best year that saw him reclaim his place in the Indian national side. Known for his ‘never give up’ attitude and deadly yorker, he provides the third seam option. His recent international form includes 7 wickets in the T20 World Cup, the most for India.
11. Lauren Bell (Overseas – ENGLAND): RCB’s most expensive auction at INR 90 Lakh, ‘The Shard’ is the top pacer in this auction. Standing at 6’2″, the England international produces a bounce and swing rarely seen in the WPL. Currently ranked in the ICC Top 5 for T20I bowlers, his opening spells will be key to cracking the opposition’s top order.
Tactical fragmentation
- Opening pair: with Sophie Devine moves Giants of GujaratRCB secured Georgia Voll, joint highest scorer in WPL history. He will partner Smriti Mandhana to provide an explosive start right-left.
- Power Average Order: Grace Harris is a great buy from the auction. His ability to spin and break pace makes him the main engine of this pack. Richa Ghosh continues as a finisher who can anchor if the top order collapses.
- Perry’s replacement: While Sayali Satghare joins as a substitute, RCB may start on the bench as they use their four overseas slots for Harris, Voll, de Klerk and Bell. Nadine de Klerk provides the seam-bowling all-rounder balance that Perry once offered.
- Indian Bowling Basics: RCB have one of the strongest Indian bowling units this year. Pooja Vastrakar and Arundhati Reddy provide pace of international quality, while the spin duo of Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav will be lethal on the dry tracks in Navi Mumbai and Vadodara.
- External Temp: Lauren Bell will lead the charge in Navi Mumbai with her ability to swing the new ball a decisive factor in the evening matches.
Impact Player Options
- Sayali Satghare: If the pitch likes the pace, he can come to one of the spinners.
- Lynsey Smith: An excellent left-arm orthodox option if the team decides to sit the outside pacer for an extra spinner.
Also READ: Lauren Bell reacts after becoming the costliest buy for RCB in the WPL 2026 Auction
This article was originally published here WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
