RCB Builds Championship Core with Strategic Player Retentions
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) women's cricket team has laid a formidable foundation for the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 season by retaining five key players in their squad. This strategic move reflects the franchise's commitment to maintaining a balanced combination of established stars and promising emerging talent as they prepare to defend their championship title.
The retention list is headlined by captain Smriti Mandhana, who has been retained for an impressive ₹3.4 crore, making her the highest-paid player in the history of the Women's Premier League. Mandhana's retention at this record-breaking amount underscores her immense value to the franchise both as a player and leader.
Star-Studded Retention List Revealed
RCB's retention strategy showcases a well-thought-out approach to building a competitive team. Alongside Mandhana, the franchise has secured the services of several other crucial players:
Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh has been retained for ₹1.9 crore, bringing her aggressive batting style and reliable wicketkeeping skills to the team. Her explosive batting in the middle order has proven invaluable in pressure situations.
Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry, renowned for her world-class abilities with both bat and ball, continues her association with RCB for ₹1.7 crore. Perry's experience and consistent performances make her an indispensable asset to the squad.
The spin bowling department receives a significant boost with the retention of Renuka Singh for ₹1.5 crore. As a key bowler for the franchise, Renuka's ability to take crucial wickets has been instrumental in RCB's success.
Completing the retention list is all-rounder Prema Rawat, retained for ₹1.2 crore. Rawat adds valuable depth and flexibility to the squad, providing multiple options for the team management.
Financial Strategy and Future Plans
With these five retentions, RCB now has a remaining purse of ₹6.15 crore to be utilized in the upcoming mega auction. This substantial amount will allow the franchise to strategically fill the remaining 14 slots in their squad, giving them significant flexibility in the auction room.
Adding to their strategic advantage, the franchise also possesses one Right to Match (RTM) card. This valuable tool can be used to bring back a former RCB player if another franchise successfully bids for them during the auction, providing an additional layer of protection for the team's core interests.
The retention decisions reflect RCB's confidence in the leadership of Smriti Mandhana, who guided the team to their maiden WPL title in the 2024 season. Under her captaincy, RCB transformed into a dominant force, with Mandhana herself being a prolific scorer and a linchpin in the team's batting lineup.
As the WPL 2026 season approaches, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have positioned themselves strongly with a solid core of retained players. The combination of financial resources and strategic retention choices sets the stage for an exciting auction and a potentially successful campaign in the upcoming tournament.
