The team of (RCB) Royal Challengers Bengaluru women enters the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) season as the defending champions, looking to build on their historic title run in 2024.
After years of heartbreak for the RCB franchise in the men’s IPL, the women’s team finally brought home the coveted trophy last year under the leadership of captain Smriti Mandhana.
Now, with some strategic additions at the 2025 WPL auction, RCB aims to retain its crown and establish itself as a powerhouse in women’s T20 cricket.
RCB Women’s 2024 Title Triumph
RCB’s maiden WPL title in 2024 was a watershed moment for the franchise. Led by Smriti Mandhana, the team put together a strong campaign, peaking at the right time in the playoffs.
Key contributions from international stars like Ellyse Perry and Sophie Devine, combined with impressive performances from Indian talents like Richa Ghosh and Shreyanka Patil, propelled RCB to the championship.
The title win was celebrated with great fervor at Bengaluru’s M. Chinnaswamy Stadium as the team finally ended the trophy drought for the passionate RCB fanbase.
RCB Womens Team 2025 – Squad After The Auction
Heading into the 2025 season, RCB has maintained the core of their championship-winning squad while making a few strategic additions.
The team retained 14 players from last year and added four new names at the auction. Here’s a look at RCB’s complete squad for WPL 2025:
Retained Players:
- Smriti Mandhana (c)
- Sabbineni Meghana
- Richa Ghosh (wk)
- Ellyse Perry
- Georgia Wareham
- Shreyanka Patil
- Asha Sobhana
- Sophie Devine
- Renuka Singh
- Sophie Molineux
- Ekta Bisht
- Kate Cross
- Kanika Ahuja
- Danni Wyatt (traded)
New Additions:
15. Prema Rawat
16. Joshitha VJ
17. Raghvi Bist
18. Jagravi Pawar
Captain Smriti Mandhana will continue to lead from the front, while the experienced trio of Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine, and Danni Wyatt provide immense firepower with both bat and ball. Richa Ghosh’s explosive batting and wicketkeeping skills add great value, while bowlers like Renuka Singh and Sophie Molineux offer variety and control.
RCB In WPL Auction 2025
RCB entered the WPL 2025 auction with a purse of Rs 3.25 crore and four available slots. Their primary focus was on bolstering their spin bowling department and adding depth to their batting lineup. Here are the details of RCB’s acquisitions at the auction:
- Prema Rawat (All-rounder) – Rs 1.20 crore.
- Joshitha VJ (Batter) – Rs 10 lakh
- Raghvi Bist (All-rounder) – Rs 10 lakh
- Jagravi Pawar (Batter) – Rs 10 lakh
The biggest splash for RCB came in the form of Uttarakhand spinner Prema Rawat. The 22-year-old leg-spinner was signed for Rs 1.20 crore, making her the fourth most expensive buy at the 2025 auction. Rawat’s ability to contribute with both bat and ball caught the eye of RCB’s scouting team.
RCB rounded out their squad by acquiring these three young Indian talents at base prices. The management believes these additions will provide valuable backup options and opportunities to groom future stars.
RCB’s head coach, Luke Williams, expressed satisfaction with the team’s auction strategy:
“We’re delighted with the work our scouts have done throughout the season and during the camps we hosted, which gave us the chance to carefully evaluate players.”
Conclusion: RCB Women Squad In WPL 2025
As defending champions, RCB will have a target on their back heading into the new season. However, the team looks well-equipped to handle the pressure.
The combination of established stars and exciting young talent gives them a balanced squad capable of adapting to various conditions and match situations. Once again, Captain Smriti Mandhana will be key to RCB’s fortunes.
Her leadership and batting prowess at the top of the order set the tone for the team last year. The likes of Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine, and Richa Ghosh provide the batting firepower, while Renuka Singh leads a varied bowling attack.
The addition of Prema Rawat adds an interesting dimension to RCB’s spin bowling resources. If she can live up to her price tag, it could give RCB a significant edge in the middle overs.
