WPL 2026: RCB’s best XI for the Women’s Premier League

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) enters a new era. After the summit 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RCB superstar Ellyse Perry withdrawn from WPL 2026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 shock wave hit the camp just three days ago: Ellyse Perry has officially retired of WPL 2026 for personal reasons. In his place, RCB signed Mumbai’s star player Sayali Satghare. This unexpected change forced management to shift from a “reliance on star power” to a more balanced and role-based “Indian core” strategy. With the opening of the season against Mumbai Indians scheduled for January 9 at the DY Patil Stadium, the team is scrambling to integrate new international recruits 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 heart of the franchise, Smriti enters 2026 after a prolific international season in which she dominated the 2025 Women’s World Cup on home soil. Her role as an aggressive presenter is more critical than ever in Perry’s absence; she remains the most expensive Indian player in the history of the league and currently averages 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 in the mega auction, Voll is the explosive solution to RCB’s opening woes. A rising star of the Big Bash, she recently made headlines by becoming one of the youngest to win a domestic T20 century. His see-ball, hit-ball approach gives Mandhana the freedom to settle in, providing RCB with a much-needed right-left dynamic at the top.

3. Dayalan Hemalatha: Secured for INR 30 Lakh, Hemalatha is the premier tactical deck. After a resurgent 2025 international season in which she demonstrated her ability to take 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 for aggressive openers.

4. Grace Harris (Overseas – AUS): The ‘powerhouse’ of the middle order, Harris was a bargain at INR 75 Lakh. With a career T20I strike rate of 155+, she is the designated ‘spin killer’. In a line-up lacking the stability of Perry, Harris’ ability to cross boundaries at will and her handy off-spin make her the most important foreign player in the XI.

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5. Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper): The leading finisher in world cricket, Richa’s stock has never been higher. After making a superb 40 (16)* in the 4th T20I against Sri Lanka last week, she enters the WPL 2026 in red-hot form. His hitting power in death overs (over 16 to 20) remains RCB’s greatest weapon to transform a total of 150 points into 180+.

6. Nadine de Klerk (Overseas – SA): Re-signed for INR 65 Lakh, de Klerk is now the frontline bowling all-rounder after 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 at disciplined medium pace.

7. Pooja Vastrakar: RCB broke the bank to secure India’s premier all-rounder. Vastrakar brings elite death bowling and lower order pyrotechnics. After a 2025 international season in which she became India’s leading wicket-taker in the Powerplay, her dual-threat ability provides RCB with the balance they lacked in previous years.

8. Shreyanka Patil: The 2024 ‘Purple Cap’ hero is back in top form after a frustrating 2025 sidelined by a shin injury. His return is a huge boost; she recently proved her pace in the 2025 Women’s CPL, and her ability to land difficult overs in Powerplay and at the death with her off-spin is unmatched in the league.

9. Radha Yadav: A high-intensity left-arm spin bowler and world-class fielder, Radha was brought in to strengthen the spin department. Her international experience of over 75 T20Is and her ability to deliver runs in the middle overs (economy of 6.40 in 2025) makes her the ideal partner for Shreyanka.

10. Arundhati Reddy: Reddy joins RCB for INR 75 Lakh after a career-best year that saw her regain her place in the Indian national team. Known for her “never give up” attitude and her deadly yorker, she offers the third stitching option. His recent international form includes 7 wickets in the T20 World Cup, the most for India.

11. Lauren Bell (Overseas – ENG): RCB’s most expensive auction purchase at INR 90 Lakh, ‘The Shard’ is spearheading the pace. Standing 6’2″, the England international generates rebound and swing rare in the WPL. Currently ranked in the ICC Top 5 T20I bowlers, his opening spells will be the key to breaking down the opposition’s top order.

Tactical distribution

• The opening pair: With Sophie Devine move to Giants of GujaratRCB have secured Georgia Voll, who holds the highest score in WPL history. She will partner Smriti Mandhana to provide an explosive right-left start.
• The intermediate order of power: Grace Harris is a massive auction acquisition. Its ability to dismantle effects and rhythm makes it the main engine of this range. Richa Ghosh continues his role as a finisher who can also anchor if the top spot collapses.
• Perry’s replacement: Although Sayali Satghare has joined as a replacement, she could start on the bench as RCB use their four overseas spots for Harris, Voll, de Klerk and Bell. Nadine de Klerk provides the versatile balance that Perry once provided.
• Indian Bowling Core: RCB has one of the most potent Indian bowling units this year. Pooja Vastrakar and Arundhati Reddy provide international quality pace, while spin duo Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav will be deadly on the dry tracks of Navi Mumbai and Vadodara.
• Pace abroad: Lauren Bell will lead the attack with her ability to swing the new ball, a crucial factor in the evening games in Navi Mumbai.

Impact Player Options

• Sayali Satghare: If the pitch favors pace, she can replace one of the spinners.
• Linsey Smith: A great left-arm orthodox option if the team decides to bench an overseas pacer for an extra spinner.

ALSO READ: Lauren Bell reacts after becoming RCB’s most expensive buy at WPL 2026 auction

This article was first published on WomenCricket.comA Cricket Schedules business.