Coaching Staff
Head Coach - Ben Sawyer
Assistant Coach - Malolan Rangrajan
Fielding Coach & Scout - Vanitha VR
Captain - Smriti Mandhana
SQUAD with Auction Price
Players - Amount (in Lakhs)
Smriti Mandhana - 340
Ellyse Perry - 170
Sophie Devine - 50
Renuka Singh - 150
Richa Ghosh - 190
Erin Burns - 30
Disha Kasat - 10
Indrani Roy - 10
Shreyanka Patil - 10
Kanika Ahuja - 35
Asha Shobana - 10
Heather Knight - 40
Dane van Niekerk - 30
Preeti Bose - 30
Poonam Khemnar - 10
Komal Zanzad - 25
Megan Schutt - 40
Sahana Pawar - 10
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), being a franchise which had experience of many IPL auctions, were expected to possess some patience throughout the auction. However, their early expensive buys shocked many.
They looked running behind big international names as they bagged in Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Devine & Ellyse Perry in the very first hour of the auction. Their obsession for reputed names didn't stop here only and they added likes of Indian Wicket Keeper Richa Ghosh & Pacer Renuka Singh in next couple of hours. They even went on to add English Captain Heather Knight, Ex South Africa Captain Dane van Niekerk, Australian Pacer Megan Schutt & experienced Australian capped All Rounder Erin Burns.
With the purse of just 12 crores, a franchise couldn't have speculated for more better reputed stars. But, they looked falling short of their quota of 16-18 players and had to go for Indian domestic uncapped players which included some smart buys such as, Disha Kasat, Indrani Roy, Poonam Khemnar & Sahana Pawar.
This might have been strategy of RCB to bag in reputed International All Rounders but did they successfully build up the squad they had intended to?
Can this squad bring the trophy home that their men's counterpart has not been able to?
Let's have a look at their squad Player by Player:
1. Smriti Mandhana - LHB, Open
The first Player to be auctioned for WPL, unsurprisingly the most expensive player of the auction doesn't need any intro.
Mandhana has proved herself as one of the best opening batters in the women's cricket currently. Mandhana averages 27.74 in Women's T20Is & holds 3rd rank in ICC T20I rankings only behind Australian Batters Beth Mooney & Tahlia McGrath.
However, Mandhana has struggled with the form recently specially batting first.
Questions have even been raised on her batting in Indian subcontinent but have a look at her stats at the 2 venues where all the matches of WPL Season - 1 are to be played.
Mandhana has 6 half centuries in 34 innings in India out of which 3 have come at Brabourne Stadium in 7 innings & 1 at DY Patil Stadium in 2 innings.
Smriti Mandhana in India
Runs (755), Avg (24) - 34M/34I
Smriti Mandhana at Brabourne Stadium
Runs (229), Avg (38.16) - 7M/7I
Smriti Mandhana at DY Patil Stadium
Runs (107), Avg (53.5) - 2M/2I
2. Disha Kasat - RHB, RAM
Indian Uncapped Top Order Batter, represents India A & Vidarbha at the domestic level.
Has strong off side game with cover drive, inside out & straight drive her mostly played shots.
Disha has been in some form recently as she scored 292 runs on the average of 97.33 in Women's Senior One Day Trophy, 2023.
She can also role her arms for the team if required.
3. Richa Ghosh - RHB, WK
Richa Ghosh has made her name as a power hitter in international cricket. She strikes at the strike rate of more than 133 which is not common in Women's cricket.
She was the 2nd highest run scorer for India in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023, where she scored 136 runs at an average of 68 striking at 130.
4. Indrani Roy - RHB, WK
Indrani Roy is an impressive Indian Uncapped opener who represents India D at domestic level. She has scored 363 runs in har last 9 innings at an average of 45.4.
5. Komal Zanzad - RHB, LAM
Komal Zanzad belongs to rare pace variety in Women's Cricket - Left Arm Pace. She represents India C & Vidarbha at the domestic level.
Have a look at her performance with the bowl in last 10 matches.
Last 10 - 2w, 0w, 0w, 1w, 2w, 0w, 0w, 0w, 0w
6. Sahana Pawar - RHB, LAO
Sahana Pawar represents India A & Karnataka at the domestic level. She was the 4th highest wicket taker after Indian Internationals Renuka, Deepti & Rajeshwari in Senior Women's T20 Challenger Trophy 2022-23. She picked 5 wickets in 4 matches at the strike rate of 16.8 in the tournament.
7. Preeti Bose - RHB, LAO
Another Left Arm Spinner whom RCB picked in the 2nd half of the auction. Might be surprise for many but Bose has represented India at the International level (debuted in 2016). She has picked 5 wickets in 5 odd matches played in Blue Jersey. She represents Haryana & Railways at the domestic level.
Have a look at her performance with the bowl in her last 10 matches.
Last 10 - 0w, 0w, 0w, 2w, 0w, 0w, 1w, 1w, 0w, 3w
8. Shreyanka Patil - RHB, RAO
Karnataka, India A
An impressive off spinner who represents Karnataka & India A. She picked 3 wickets in 2 matches in Senior Women's T20 Challenger Trophy 2022-23. She had picked 9 wickets in 7 matches in Women's Senior One Day Trophy, 2021/22. She has been in great form recently.
Last 10 - 1w, 2w, 1w, 2w, 3w, 1w, 0w, 0w, 2w
9. Asha Shobana - RHB, RAO
Another decent off spinner from Indian domestic circle.
10. Poonam Khemnar - RHB, Legbreak
Poonam is the only Indian leggie that RCB has in their squad. Playing for Nagaland in the domestic circle, she is potentially an All Rounder who can score some runs in the lower middle order.
Last 10 - 32r 3w, 29r 3w, 10r 2w, 91r 0w, 0r 0w, 105r 2w
She even participated in Pondicherry T10 last year. Have a look at her performance in the tournament.
Poonam Khemnar in Pondicherry T10, 2022
Runs (116), Avg (19.33) - 6M + 4 wickets
11. Kanika Ahuja - LHB, RAO
Uncapped All Rounder from Punjab, represents India D.
She was 2nd highest wicket taker in Women's Senior One Day Trophy, 2021/22 where she picked 15 wickets in just 7 matches.
Last 10 - 1w, 16r 0w, 17 r 2w, 13r 2w, 11r 4w, 0r 5w, 34r 0w, 90r 2w, 44r 3w
12. Ellyse Perry
Perry is undoubtedly one of the best All Rounders that women's cricket has been blessed with. Brings a lot of experience to the squad, provides balance to the team with her Pace bowling. Perry is also flexible with the bat and can bat at any order from no. 3 to no. 5. She holds 9th rank in ICC Women's T20I All Rounders Rankings.
Since her comeback to the Australian Playing 11 her Strike Rate has increased rapidly. Have a look at her career stats & Performance on Indian wickets.
T20I Career
Runs (1528), Avg (31.18) - 138M/83I
Wickets (122), Avg (19), SR (19.4) - 138M/83I
Ellyse Perry in India
Runs (325), Avg (36.11) - 21M/12I
Wickets (14), Avg (25.92), SR (25.5) - 21M/19I
Ellyse Perry at Brabourne Stadium
Runs (215), Avg (53.75) - 8M/6I
13. Sophie Devine - RHB, RAM
Another mammoth experienced & huge reputed All Rounder, the captain of New Zealand - Sophie Devine.
Devine is expected to open with Mandhana which forms a very dependable opening pair for RCB. But, Devine's form is a concern. She has been struggling with her fitness as well & is not rolling her arms recently.
Career Stats
Runs (2969), Avg (29.10) - 119M/116I
Wickets (110), Avg (17.45), SR (16.5) - 119M/103I
Sophie Devine In India
Runs (222), Avg (31.72) - 8M/8I
Wickets (14), Avg (11.21), SR (12) - 8M/8I
14. Heather Knight - RHB, RAO
Another great All Rounder from the RCB squad, current captain of England National Team. She used to bat in top order but after inclusion of Alice Capsey & Sophia Dunkley in England National Team, she is batting down the order now. Made a comeback from injury after an year almost and is not bowling much.
Career Stats
Runs (1583), Avg (23.62) - 98M/86I
Wickets (21), Avg (25.04), SR (25.8) - 98M/39I
In India
Runs (91), Avg (10.11) - 11M/10I
Wickets (3), Avg (37), SR (34) - 11M/10I
Last 10 - 32, 4, 28, 14, 32*, 9r 0w, 0*, 0, 43r 0w
15. Erin Burns - RHB, RAO
Burns has represented Australia in T20Is. And that's enough to convey her potential. Burns is Middle or lower middle order batter who can hit some biggies & can provide her team with some overs of off spin as well.
Burns has been in some hot form since last WBBL season concluded in October - November last year. Batting for Sydney Sixers, Burns scored 295 runs with an average of 32.77 in strike at a huge strike rate of more than 145. She scored 353 runs in 12 innings in recently concluded Australian 50 over Domestic Tournament - WNCL.
16. Dane van Niekerk - RHB, Legbreak
Another Overseas All Rounder from RCB's All Rounder rich squad. Niekerk, Ex South Africa captain, used to be among top all rounders in Women's T20 cricket before injury that kept her away from cricket for more than a year. She was about to make her comeback to the South African Team in the T20 World Cup this year, but couldn't clear fitness test & was left out.
Niekerk was top run getter in the first season of 'The Hundred' where she had scored 259 runs on an average of 43.16 in 9 innings & picked 8 wickets as well in as much innings.
Career Stats
Runs (771), Avg (28.01) - 86M/77I
Wickets (65), Avg (20.96), SR (23) - 86M/82I
In India
Runs (153), Avg (30.6) - 5M/5I + 2w
17. Megan Schutt - RHB, RAM
RCB bagged in 2 world class pacers in the auction one of them being Australian experienced, in-form Megan Schutt. Shutt bowls with a good pace & has variety to trouble the batters. She can take new ball and is very much effective in death as well.
Schutt holds 6th rank in ICC T20I rankings & is 3rd highest wicket taker in the ongoing world cup with final yet to be played. Schutt has been impressive in India as well where she has picked 17 wickets in 15 matches in T20Is.
18. Renuka Singh - RHB, RAM
The swing king, ICC T20I 5th rank seeded pacer Renuka Singh is top class new ball bowler. She has troubled world class batters with her early swing & will be taking the new ball for RCB ofcourse. But, looking at RCB squad, she might have to bowl the death overs which is not her expertise. She has looked wayward at the death in International cricket which is a big concern for RCB. Have a look at her recent form with the bowl.
Last 10 - 0w, 1w, 5w, 1w, 0w, 0w, 1w, 0w, 0w
STRENGTH
Huge Overseas Experience -
WPL is the first such Women's T20 league in India and is a new concept for many franchises. RCB has surely an advantage over all other teams as Devine, Perry, Knight & Niekerk have played many such T20 leagues. All these four have potential to lead a T20 side. Burns & Schutt as well are not too far behind in terms of T20 Leagues experience. They are gonna assist the captain Mandhana as well in terms of captaincy.
Top Class Overseas All Rounders -
It is unnecessary to note how important All Rounders are in T20 Cricket. All Rounders strengthen team balance & provide variety options to the team. RCB have left other franchises far behind in that entity with the likes of their top class overseas both pace & spin All Rounders.
Massive Batting Depth -
RCB batting order should be leaded by Mandhana & Devine with two of Perry, Knight & Niekerk at 3 & 4. Richa & Burns enrich this batting order with their big hitting capabilities. Disha Kasat & Indrani Roy are technically good batters and might find a place in top order which would in fact strengthen the team balance.
Quality Pace Attack -
Being leaded by Renuka & Schutt, RCB has a lethal new ball pace attack with Perry & Devine adding some overs in Middle overs. However, Devine's fitness might be a concern for the squad.
Their death bowling issue can be sorted as well if they use their pacers well. They have the opportunity to bowl out Renuka in powerplay with 3 straight overs & go with Perry/Devine as their death bowler alongwith Schutt. Komal Zanzad ia a decent pace all rounder as well, but desn't look making place in the playing 11 staight away.
Overall, RCB has a very balanced & quality pace bowling attack which would trouble the opposition batters if used well.
WEAKNESS/CHALLENGES
In-exprienced Indian Core -
RCB didn't look taking any learnings from their men's counterpart mistakes in the auction. We have seen the sides with very strong Indian cores being successful in Indian Premier League. But, RCB went behind reputed overseas stars in the auction which meant they did not have much purse remaining to build up a solid Indian core. They ended up with a very experienced overseas but an un-tested inexperienced Indian core. However, their Indian core has likes of Disha Kasat & Indrani Roy who can be trusted with top order batting. Poonam Khemnar & Sahana Pawar were good spin additions too.
Concerns in Spin Department -
RCB squad, on paper, looks sorted in spin department as well but the form & fitness of their overseas spinners inreases their dependence on Indian domestic spinners. Heather Knight & Dane van Niekerk are making comeback after injury. Niekerk has played just 2 matches this year in South Africa domestic circle and Knight hasn't rolled her arms much after comeback to the English team. Burns hasn't been consistent with the ball as well. Thus, they'll need some oustanding performance by the Indian Domestic Spinners which include decent spinners like Preeti Bose, Sahana Pawar, Shreyanka Patil, Poonam Khemnar and else.
Probable XI
It'll be interesting to see with what overseas combination RCB start their campaign. They have picked 6 top class overseas, but can field 4 only in the 11. Perry & Devine will certainly be their first 2 choices. But, the selection of last 2 might be some headache for RCB management. It would surely depend on the player's fitness & performance in the camp. For now, Schutt & Knight look the top contenders for those 2 spots. As far as Indian players are concerned, Mandhana, Richa & Renuka are key players with one of Disha Kasat & Indrani Roy in the top order. Poonam Khemnar's value with the bat and legspin keeps her ahead of other domsetic spinners. The next 2 spots should be toss up between Shreyanka, Bose, Sahana & Kanika.
Here is how we think the first 11 of RCB should look alike -
Smriti Mandhana
Sophie Devine✈️
Disha Kasat
Ellyse Perry✈️
Richa Ghosh
Heather Knight✈️
Poonam Khemnar
Shreyanka Patil
Sahana Pawar
Renuka Singh
Megan Schutt✈️
Expectations
RCB has undoubtedly secured top overseas players with mammoth T20 experience, deep batting order & quality pace attack. The only thing that might hit back is their inexperinced spin attack. But, with the likes of Knight, Niekerk & Burns, this shouldn't be that much of a concern. However, the Indian spinners leaded by Khemnar, Bose, Shreyanka & Pawar would decide how far this team goes.
Far now they seem to be top contenders of the playoffs at least. But, it's surely unsafe to predict something about a team named RCB.
However, the RCB fans can surely trust this team with the hopes of 'Ee Sala Cup Namde!'