RCB Appoint Former England Pacer As Bowling Coach Ahead Of WPL Season: Report

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have appointed former England medium-pacer Anya Shrubsole as their bowling coach ahead of the new season of the Women’s Premier League, according to a report in ESPNCricinfo.

With the team finishing fourth among five teams in the last season, the franchise is looking for a reshuffling.

Shrubsole will work alongside former Tamil Nadu spinner Malolan Rangarajan, who takes over as head coach for the upcoming season. The change comes as Luke Williams, appointed head coach ahead of the 2024 season, will miss WPL 2026 because of his commitments with the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League.

A scheduling conflict has emerged after the Women’s Premier League was moved up by a month, with the tournament now all set to start on January 8 and conclude in early February.

India will then co-host the men’s T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka in the February–March window, followed by IPL 2026.

A 2017 World Cup winner, Shrubsole retired from international cricket three years ago with over 200 wickets to her name. The following season, she took on a dual role as cricketer and assistant coach under Charlotte Edwards at the Southern Vipers.

Shrubsole’s upcoming stint with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru marks her first in the Women’s Premier League. Former India cricketer Sunetra Paranjape held the bowling coach role for Bengaluru until this year.

Rangarajan has been part of the franchise’s Women’s Premier League setup since its inception. After working under Ben Sawyer and Mike Hesson in the inaugural season, Rangarajan, who serves as lead scout for the men’s team as well, assisted Williams during Bengaluru’s title-winning campaign last year and in the most recent season, where they fell short of reaching the final.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s support staff features R. Muralidhar as well, who will continue as batting coach, while Navnita Gautam is expected to retain her role as head physio.

As per the report, the franchise is unanimous in choosing Smriti Mandhana as their top retention and skipper for the next Women’s Premier League cycle. Discussions are underway to retain Ellyse Perry as well, along with Richa Ghosh, Sophie Molineux and Shreyanka Patil.