Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the 2024 WPL champions, have finalized their player retentions ahead of the upcoming WPL 2026 mega auction, keeping faith in the proven performers who played key roles in their title-winning campaign.
The Bengaluru-based franchise has retained four players from their 2025 squad, including captain Smriti Mandhana, who led RCB to their maiden WPL title and continues to be the cornerstone of the team's batting unit.
Mandhana, who also finished as India's highest run-scorer in the 2025 ICC Women's ODI World Cup, remains RCB's most expensive player, retained for ₹3.50 crore. Joining her on the list are veteran Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry (₹2 crore), wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh (₹2.75 crore), and Indian
spinner Shreyanka Patil (₹60 lakh). Patil, who picked up 13 wickets in eight matches during WPL 2024, was the tournament's top wicket-taker and one of RCB's key match-winners.
In total, the franchise has spent ₹8.85 crore on retentions and will head into the WPL 2026 mega auction with a remaining purse of ₹6.15 crore. RCB will also have the option to use one Right to Match (RTM) card during the auction.
However, several prominent names have been released as the team looks to refresh its roster for the new cycle. Among the Indian players released are Sabbhineni Meghana, Renuka Singh, Sneh Rana, Kanika Ahuja, Asha Sobhana, and Ekta Bisht. The overseas players released include Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Kim Garth, Sophie Devine, Georgia Wareham, Charlie Dean, Heather Graham, Sophie Molineux, and Kate Cross.
With a solid retained core and a healthy purse, RCB will aim to rebuild around its championship-winning nucleus and push for another strong campaign in 2026.
RCB Retained Players: Smriti Mandhana (₹3.50 crore), Ellyse Perry (₹2 crore), Richa Ghosh (₹2.75 crore), Shreyanka Patil (₹60 lakh)
RCB Released Players: Sabbhineni Meghana, Nuzhat Parween, Kanika Ahuja, Raghvi Bist, Sneh Rana, Asha Sobhana, Ekta Bisht, VJ Joshitha, Jagravi Pawar, Prema Rawat, Renuka Singh, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Charlie Dean, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Sophie Devine, Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham, Kate Cross.
Purse Remaining: ₹6.15 crore | RTM Cards: 1
