Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB-W) have been part of the Women’s Premier League since 2023. From the start, they faced challenges and tough matches, but slowly they grew stronger. The team learned from every loss, and young players gained experience while the senior stars guided them. Their hard work paid off in 2024 when RCB Women won their first WPL trophy, making fans and players proud.
Now, in January 2026, RCB Women are entering a new chapter. Some familiar players like Ellyse Perry and Sophie Devine are not in the team, but the squad has new energy and balance. Smriti Mandhana leads with calm and confidence, Richa Ghosh can change games with her hitting, and Nadine de Klerk has already shown her power in the season opener.
Royals Challengers Bengaluru Women Team:
RCB Women are owned by United Spirits and represent Bengaluru in the Women’s Premier League. The team plays its home matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Known for backing star players and young Indian talent, RCB Women focus on positive cricket and fearless performances.
| Team Detail | Information |
| Team Name | Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women |
| First Season | 2023 |
| Owner | United Spirits |
| Home Ground | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru |
| Head Coach | Malolan Rangarajan |
| Captain | Smriti Mandhana |
| WPL Titles | 1 (2024) |
Owner and Management of RCB Women:
RCB Women are owned by United Spirits Limited, the same group that owns the men’s RCB team. Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women are owned by United Spirits Limited, one of India’s leading beverage companies and part of the Diageo Group. From the first WPL season itself, the owners showed that they were serious about women’s cricket. They invested money, time, and effort without hesitation.
The management stood strong even when results didn’t go their way in the early seasons. There were losses, missed chances, and tough matches, but the owners didn’t rush into big changes. They trusted the process and backed the players. That belief finally paid off in 2024 when RCB Women lifted their first WPL trophy. The owners focus more on stability than noise. They believe success comes when players feel safe, supported, and respected, and that mindset has shaped RCB Women into a confident and united team.
RCB’s Women Squad List 2026:
The Mega Auction reshaped the squad. Retained stars include Mandhana, Ghosh, Patil, and Perry (who withdrew). RCB also made key buys: Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Nadine de Klerk, Dayalan Hemalatha, and Linsey Smith, balancing experience, youth, and overseas firepower.
| Player Name | Role | Price / Status |
| Smriti Mandhana | Batter (Captain) | ₹3.50 Cr (Retained) |
| Richa Ghosh | Wicket keeper / Batter | ₹2.75 Cr (Retained) |
| Shreyanka Patil | All rounder | ₹0.60 Cr (Retained) |
| Ellyse Perry | All rounder | ₹2.00 Cr (Retained Unavailable) |
| Sayali Satghare | All rounder | ₹0.30 Cr (Replacement for Perry) |
| Lauren Bell | Bowler | ₹0.90 Cr (Bought) |
| Pooja Vastrakar | All rounder | ₹0.85 Cr (Bought) |
| Grace Harris | All rounder | ₹0.75 Cr (Bought) |
| Arundhati Reddy | All rounder | ₹0.75 Cr (Bought) |
| Nadine de Klerk | All rounder | ₹0.65 Cr (Bought) |
| Radha Yadav | Bowler | ₹0.65 Cr (Bought) |
| Georgia Voll | Batter | ₹0.60 Cr (Bought) |
| Dayalan Hemalatha | Batter | ₹0.30 Cr (Bought) |
| Linsey Smith | Bowler | ₹0.30 Cr (Bought) |
WPL 2024: The Historic Title Win For RCB-W
The 2024 WPL season will always be special for RCB fans. After finishing third in the league stage, RCB Women stepped up in the knockout matches. Their bowlers delivered under pressure, and the team stayed calm in tight moments.
In the final against Delhi Capitals Women, RCB defended a low total with discipline and heart. When the final wicket fell, it marked RCB’s first ever title across both men’s and women’s teams, ending years of waiting and heartbreak.
RCB Women WPL Performance (2023-2026):
RCB Women’s performance over the seasons shows a clear learning curve. After a tough start in 2023, the team bounced back strongly to win the title in 2024. In 2025, they finished fourth and missed the playoffs but remained competitive throughout the season. The 2026 season started on a positive note, with RCB defeating Mumbai Indians Women in the opening match, showing strong intent right from the starting 2023.
| Performance Category | RCB Women Record |
| Seasons Played | 4 (2023-2026) |
| Total Matches Played | 27 |
| Total Matches Won | 12 |
| Total Matches Lost | 15 |
| WPL Titles | 1 (2024) |
| Highest Team Score | Around 200 runs |
| Total Team Runs | 3,800+ runs |
| Total Wickets Taken | 130+ wickets |
| Total Catches | 75+ catches |
RCB Women Captain: Smriti Mandhana
Smriti Mandhana continues to lead RCB Women with calm authority. After scoring 18 in the 2026 opener against Mumbai Indians, her total WPL career runs are now 650+, reflecting her steady contributions over the seasons. She opens the batting, sets the tone for the innings, and provides leadership both on and off the field.
- Role: Batter
- Captain Since: 2023
- Auction Price: ₹3.50 Cr
- Total WPL Runs: 650+ runs
- Batting Position: Opener
- WPL Titles as Captain: 1 (2024)
- 2026 Highlight: Won opening match vs MI Women
Smriti’s calm approach helps the team navigate tight moments. She trusts young players to express themselves and encourages them to play freely without fear. In 2026, her role in guiding the “Post Perry” era is crucial. Fans see her as more than a batter, she is the glue holding together a squad with a mix of experienced internationals, new domestic talent, and bold young players.
Coaching Staff and Management of RCB-W:
RCB Women promoted from within to keep the winning culture intact. Malolan Rangarajan, who was Assistant Coach in 2025, has now taken over as Head Coach. This move shows the team values continuity and trusts people who already understand the players’ strengths and dressing room environment.
The coaching staff focuses on keeping things simple, calm, and clear. Young Indian players are guided patiently, while senior players like Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh help mentor the newcomers. The team places equal importance on fielding, bowling strategies, and mental preparation. When Ellyse Perry withdrew from the 2026 season, Rangarajan and his staff handled the transition smoothly, giving opportunities to Nadine de Klerk, Sayali Satghare, and others. Fans appreciate that the team atmosphere remains positive and trusting, no panic, just focused preparation.
Star Players of RCB Women:
RCB Women’s strength this season lies in a mix of experience, fearless Indian talent, and impactful overseas players. With Ellyse Perry unavailable and a new star has stepped up to carry the team alongside Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh. Fans are already talking about Nadine de Klerk.
1. Smriti Mandhana:
- Leads from the front as captain and opening batter
- Provides steady starts and calmness in pressure situations
- Anchors innings with experience and match awareness
2. Richa Ghosh:
- Fearless finisher and wicket keeper with quick reflexes
- Changes momentum in middle or death overs with aggressive batting
- Trusted by captain in crucial moments
3. Nadine de Klerk:
- New star overseas all rounder, key in January 2026 opener
- Bowls smartly at crucial stages and contributes runs down the order
- Brings energy, confidence, and versatility to replace Perry’s absence
These three players now form the core of RCB Women’s 2026 campaign, blending leadership, finishing power, and overseas firepower.
RCB Women’s Team Strategy:
RCB Women don’t follow flashy plans. Their strategy is simple, play smart cricket and stay calm. They adjust based on conditions, opponents, and match situations instead of forcing fixed plans.
- Top order focuses on steady starts rather than risky hitting
- Middle order adapts depending on scoreboard pressure
- All rounders balance the team during both batting and bowling
- Bowlers avoid panic and stick to simple plans
- Fielding is treated as a match winning skill
- Captain trusts players during pressure moments
- This approach helped them win big matches without unnecessary risks.
Fan Base and Social Media Presence:
RCB Women have one of the most loyal fan bases in the WPL. Just like the men’s team, fans support them with full heart, win or lose. Stadiums turn loud when RCB Women play, and social media fills up with messages, edits, and celebrations.
The team’s social media pages show real moments, smiles, training clips, and honest emotions. That’s why fans feel connected. After the 2024 title win, support only grew stronger. Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh especially receive massive love online. RCB Women are no longer just a team people watch; they are a team people emotionally support. This backing gives players confidence when pressure is high.
Major Awards & Achievements of RCB-W:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB-W) have come a long way since their first season in 2023. The team faced challenges at the start but learned from every match. Over the years, they grew stronger, and by 2024, they won their first WPL title. Along the way, many players showed amazing performances, breaking records and winning awards.
| Year | Award / Achievement | Player / Team | Record / Highlight |
| 2024 | Orange Cap | Ellyse Perry | 347 Runs (Top run scorer of the season) |
| 2024 | Purple Cap | Shreyanka Patil | 13 Wickets (Top wicket taker of the season) |
| 2024 | Emerging Player of the Season | Shreyanka Patil | First Indian to win this for RCB |
| 2024 | Player of the Match (Final) | Sophie Molineux | 3 wickets in 1 over (The turning point) |
| 2024 | Electric Striker of the Season | Georgia Wareham | 163.24 highest strike rate |
| 2024 | Fair Play Award | RCB Women | Won for the best on field conduct |
| 2023 | Most Sixes in an Innings | Sophie Devine | 8 Sixes (vs Gujarat Giants) |
Future of RCB Women:
RCB Women are moving in the right direction. They now have experience, confidence, and belief. The Indian core is strong, and young players are growing with every season. Even without Ellyse Perry in 2026, the team didn’t look lost. Instead, it showed that RCB Women are more than one star player.
Smriti Mandhana is entering her most mature phase as a leader. She understands players, situations, and pressure better than ever. The management continues to back long term growth instead of quick fixes. With smart auctions, strong leadership, and loyal fans, RCB Women are expected to stay competitive and respected in every coming season.
Conclusion:
RCB Women’s journey has never been smooth and that’s what makes it special. From early struggles to lifting the trophy in 2024, the team earned every bit of success. They play with heart, patience, and belief. With stable management, trusted leadership, and passionate fans, RCB Women have built something solid. Their story is still being written, and the best chapters may still be ahead.
FAQs:
RCB Women began the 2026 season with a confident win over Mumbai Indians. Despite missing Ellyse Perry, the team stayed composed, and Nadine de Klerk played a key role, showing that the squad had adjusted well to new combinations.
Apart from the 2024 final, fans often recall the league matches where RCB defended low totals, as those games showed growth in bowling discipline.
Shreyanka Patil surprised everyone. She entered quietly but delivered big performances when the team needed breakthroughs.
Instead of replacing her role directly, the team spread responsibility across players, especially in bowling and fielding.
She is known for staying calm, talking individually with players, and avoiding emotional reactions after losses.