# Royal Challengers Bengaluru (WPL)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, formerly known as Royal Challengers Bangalore, commonly known as RCB, is an Indian professional franchise women's cricket team that competes in the Women's Premier League, based in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The team is owned by United Spirits, who also owns the men's team. The team is coached by Luke Williams and captained by Smriti Mandhana. The franchise won the 2nd season of the Women's Premier League defeating Delhi Capitals in the final.

## History

In October 2022, the BCCI announced its intentions to hold a five-team women's franchise cricket tournament in March 2023. The tournament was named the Women's Premier League in January 2023, with investors buying the rights to franchises through a closed bidding process during the same month. Diageo, the owners of Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, bought the rights to one of the franchises.
In February 2023, Ben Sawyer was announced as head coach of the side. The inaugural player auction for the WPL was held on 13 February 2023, Royal Challengers Bangalore signing 18 players for their squad. On 18 February 2023, Smriti Mandhana was announced as the team's captain. The side finished fourth in the group stage at the inaugural tournament.
In September 2023, Luke Williams was announced as the head coach for the 2024 season. The side won three of their five Bangalore-leg matches, and then they went on to win one match out of their next three matches. Ending the league stage with four wins, the side qualified for the playoffs.
In the eliminator, the team defeated the defending champions — Mumbai Indians, to advance into the final. In the final, they defeated Delhi Capitals to win the title, this was the franchise's maiden title across both men's and women's leagues. Royal Challengers Bangalore's Ellyse Perry and Shreyanka Patil won the orange cap and purple cap respectively.

## Current squad

* Source:
* Players with international caps are listed in bold.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad for the 2024 Women's Premier League :
| Name | Nationality | Birth date | Batting style | Bowling style | Notes |
| Captain ||||||
| Smriti Mandhana | India | (1996-07-18) 18 July 1996 (age 28) | Left-handed | Right-arm off break | |
| Batters ||||||
| Disha Kasat | India | (1997-09-19) 19 September 1997 (age 27) | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | |
| Sabbhineni Meghana | India | (1996-06-07) 7 June 1996 (age 28) | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | |
| All-rounders ||||||
| Kanika Ahuja | India | (2002-08-07) 7 August 2002 (age 22) | Left-handed | Right-arm off break | |
| Asha Sobhana | India | (1991-03-16) 16 March 1991 (age 33) | Right-handed | Right-arm leg break | |
| Sophie Devine | New Zealand | (1989-09-01) 1 September 1989 (age 35) | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | Overseas player |
| Heather Knight | England | (1990-12-26) 26 December 1990 (age 34) | Right-handed | Right-arm off break | Overseas player |
| Ellyse Perry | Australia | (1990-11-03) 3 November 1990 (age 34) | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | Overseas player |
| Shubha Satheesh | India | (1999-07-13) 13 July 1999 (age 25) | Left-handed | Right-arm medium | |
| Wicket-keepers ||||||
| Richa Ghosh | India | (2003-09-28) 28 September 2003 (age 21) | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | |
| Indrani Roy | India | (1997-09-05) 5 September 1997 (age 27) | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | |
| Bowlers ||||||
| Simran Bahadur | India | (1999-12-13) 13 December 1999 (age 25) | Left-handed | Right-arm medium | |
| Ekta Bisht | India | (1986-02-08) 8 February 1986 (age 39) | Left-handed | Slow left-arm orthodox | |
| Kate Cross | England | (1991-10-03) 3 October 1991 (age 33) | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | Overseas player |
| Sophie Molineux | Australia | (1998-01-17) 17 January 1998 (age 27) | Left-handed | Slow left-arm orthodox | Overseas player |
| Shreyanka Patil | India | (2002-07-31) 31 July 2002 (age 22) | Right-handed | Right-arm off break | |
| Renuka Singh | India | (1996-02-01) 1 February 1996 (age 29) | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | |
| Georgia Wareham | Australia | (1999-05-23) 23 May 1999 (age 25) | Right-handed | Right-arm leg break | Overseas player |

## Administration and support staff

| Position | Name |
| Director of cricket | Mo Bobat |
| Head of team operations | Soumyadeep Pyne |
| Doctor | Dr Harini Muralidharan |
| Head coach | Luke Williams |
| Assistant coach | Malolan Rangarajan |
| Batting coach | RX Murali |
| Fielding coach | Vellaswamy Vanitha |
| Source: Official website ||

## Kit manufacturers and sponsors

Kajaria Tiles was the official Title Sponsor for RCB WPL 2023. Mia by Tanishq & Dream11 being principal partners. Apart from these, Puma, Himalaya, & Vega being the associate partners. Zuno General Insurance were their official partners for WPL 2023.
| Year | Kit manufacturer | Main shirt sponsor | Back sponsor |
| 2023 | Puma | Kajaria | Mia |
| 2024 | Puma | Kajaria | Mia |
| 2025 | Puma | Kajaria | Alliance University |

## Seasons

| Year | League standings | Final standings |
| 2023 | 4th | League stage |
| 2024 | 3rd | Champions |
| 2025 | 4th | League stage |