Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is entering a new era. After the high of their Women’s Premier League 2024 title and the disappointment of 2025, the franchise underwent a massive tactical overhaul during the November 2025 Mega Auction.
RCB superstar Ellyse Perry withdrawn from WPL 2026
However, the biggest shockwave hit the camp just three days ago: Ellyse Perry has officially withdrawn from WPL 2026 due to personal reasons. In her place, RCB have signed Mumbai’s domestic standout Sayali Satghare. This unexpected shift has forced the management to pivot from ‘star-power reliance’ to a more balanced, role-based ‘Indian core’ strategy. With the season opener against Mumbai Indians scheduled for January 9 at the DY Patil Stadium, the team is scrambling to integrate new international signings like Lauren Bell and Grace Harris into a unit that must now learn to thrive without its greatest legend.
RCB’s best playing XI for WPL 2026
1. Smriti Mandhana (Captain): The heartbeat of the franchise, Smriti enters 2026 after a prolific international season where she dominated the 2025 Women’s World Cup on home soil. Her role as the aggressive anchor is more critical than ever in Perry’s absence; she remains the most expensive Indian player in league history and is currently averaging 38.45 in T20Is over the last 12 months with a strike rate of 138.
2. Georgia Voll (Overseas – AUS): Signed for INR 60 Lakh at the mega auction, Voll is the explosive solution to RCB’s opening woes. A rising star from the Big Bash, she recently made headlines by becoming one of the youngest to score a domestic T20 century. Her ‘see-ball, hit-ball’ approach allows Mandhana the freedom to settle, providing RCB with a much-needed right-left dynamic at the top.
3. Dayalan Hemalatha: Secured for INR 30 Lakh, Hemalatha is the tactical bridge in the top order. After a resurgent 2025 international season where she showcased her ability to take on spin in the middle overs, she provides the stability required at Number 3. Her experience in high-pressure Indian conditions makes her a reliable backup to the aggressive openers.
4. Grace Harris (Overseas – AUS): The ‘powerhouse’ of the middle order, Harris was a steal at INR 75 Lakh. With a career T20I strike rate of 155+, she is the designated ‘spin-killer.’ In a lineup missing Perry’s stability, Harris’s ability to clear the boundary at will and her handy off-spin make her the most important overseas player in the XI.
5. Richa Ghosh (Wicketkeeper): The premier finisher in world cricket, Richa’s stock has never been higher. Coming off a blistering 40 (16)* in the 4th T20I against Sri Lanka just last week, she enters WPL 2026 in red-hot form. Her power hitting in the “death overs” (overs 16-20) remains RCB’s biggest weapon to turn 150-run totals into 180+.
6. Nadine de Klerk (Overseas – SA): Re-signed for INR 65 Lakh, de Klerk is now the frontline seam-bowling all-rounder following Perry’s exit. She proved her worth in the 2025 World Cup semi-finals with a match-winning 2-wicket haul. She provides the “glue” in the lower middle order, capable of playing long innings or providing 4 overs of disciplined medium-pace.
7. Pooja Vastrakar: RCB broke the bank to secure India’s premier pace all-rounder. Vastrakar brings elite death bowling and lower-order pyrotechnics. After a 2025 international season where she became India’s leading wicket-taker in the Powerplay, her dual-threat capability offers RCB the balance they lacked in previous years.
8. Shreyanka Patil: The ‘Purple Cap’ hero of 2024 is back to full fitness after a frustrating 2025 sidelined by a shin injury. Her return is a massive boost; she recently proved her rhythm in the Women’s CPL 2025, and her ability to bowl the tough overs in the Powerplay and at the death with her off-spin is unmatched in the league.
9. Radha Yadav: A high-intensity left-arm spinner and world-class fielder, Radha was brought in to bolster the spin department. Her international experience of 75+ T20Is and her ability to squeeze runs in the middle overs (economy of 6.40 in 2025) makes her the perfect partner for Shreyanka.
10. Arundhati Reddy: Reddy joins RCB for INR 75 Lakh after a career-best year that saw her reclaim her spot in the Indian national side. Known for her “never-give-up” attitude and a deadly yorker, she provides the third seam option. Her recent international form includes 7 wickets in the T20 World Cup, the joint-most for India.
11. Lauren Bell (Overseas – ENG): RCB’s most expensive auction buy at INR 90 Lakh, “The Shard” is the pace spearhead. Standing 6’2″, the England international generates bounce and swing that is rare in the WPL. Currently ranked in the ICC Top 5 for T20I bowlers, her opening spells will be the key to breaking opposition top orders.
Tactical Breakdown
- The Opening Pair: With Sophie Devine moving to Gujarat Giants, RCB secured Georgia Voll, who holds the joint-highest score in WPL history. She will partner Smriti Mandhana to provide a right-left explosive start.
- The Power Middle-Order: Grace Harris is a massive acquisition from the auction. Her ability to dismantle spin and pace makes her the primary engine of this lineup. Richa Ghosh continues her role as the finisher who can also anchor if the top order collapses.
- The Perry Replacement: While Sayali Satghare has joined as a replacement, she may start on the bench as RCB utilizes 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 Core: RCB have one of the strongest Indian bowling units this year. Pooja Vastrakar and Arundhati Reddy provide international-quality pace, while the spin duo of Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav will be lethal on the dry tracks in Navi Mumbai and Vadodara.
- Overseas Pace: Lauren Bell will lead the attack with her ability to swing the new ball, a crucial factor in the evening matches in Navi Mumbai.
Impact Player Options
- Sayali Satghare: If the pitch favors pace, she can come in for one of the spinners.
- Linsey Smith: An excellent left-arm orthodox option if the team decides to bench an overseas pacer for an extra spinner.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
