The fourth season of the Women's Premier League (WPL) is all set to begin on January 9, with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) opening their campaign against defending champions Mumbai Indians at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
As the tournament returns with heightened expectations, RCB will be eager to make amends for their underwhelming run last year.
RCB, the 2024 WPL champions, endured a tough title defence in 2025 when they managed just three wins from eight league matches and failed to reach the knockout stage after suffering five consecutive losses. With a fresh season ahead, the franchise is determined to rediscover its winning rhythm, though the challenge looks a bit steeper following a key withdrawal.
Australian superstar
Ellyse Perry, who has been the backbone of RCB across previous editions, pulled out of the 2026 season due to personal reasons. Perry, the all-time highest run-scorer and the fourth-highest wicket-taker in the WPL, leaves a significant void in both the batting and bowling departments. Young all-rounder Sayali Satghare has been drafted in as her replacement.
Despite the setback, RCB still boast a well-rounded squad packed with multi-skilled players. Their all-round options include Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Nadine de Klerk, Radha Yadav, and Grace Harris-giving them depth across phases. The bowling unit remains one of the team's strong suits, with multiple new-ball options and a potent spin attack led by Radha Yadav and Shreyanka Patil. Grace Harris is expected to contribute with her off-spin as well.
The pace department also features de Klerk as an effective middle-overs option. However, RCB's top order will be an area to watch. Apart from skipper Smriti Mandhana, the team lacks an experienced top-order batter, making the performances of Dayalan Hemalatha and Indrani Naik crucial to their early momentum.
As the season progresses from Navi Mumbai to Vadodara, RCB will aim for consistency and a much-improved league run.
| Fixture | Date | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| RCB vs Mumbai Indians | January 9 | Navi Mumbai | 7:30 PM IST |
| RCB vs UP Warriorz | January 12 | Navi Mumbai | 7:30 PM IST |
| RCB vs Gujarat Giants | January 16 | Navi Mumbai | 7:30 PM IST |
| RCB vs Delhi Capitals | January 17 | Navi Mumbai | 7:30 PM IST |
| RCB vs Gujarat Giants | January 19 | Vadodara | 7:30 PM IST |
| RCB vs Delhi Capitals | January 24 | Vadodara | 7:30 PM IST |
| RCB vs Mumbai Indians | January 26 | Vadodara | 7:30 PM IST |
| RCB vs UP Warriorz | January 29 | Vadodara | 7:30 PM IST |
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