As the Women’s Premier League (WPL) enters a new cycle, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have revealed their WPL 2026 Retentions ahead of the 2026 Mega Auction naming Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, and Shreyanka Patil as the four key pillars around whom the team will build its future.
Head Coach Malolan Rangarajan, in a detailed statement shared by the franchise, emphasized the thought process behind each retention, highlighting how the quartet reflects RCB’s vision a blend of experience, balance, leadership, and long-term investment in Indian talent.
Confirming that RCB will continue under the leadership of Smriti Mandhana, Rangarajan praised her influence both as a batter and as a captain.
“For the forthcoming season and the new WPL cycle, our first retention will be Smriti Mandhana. She will continue to lead RCB as captain,” he said. “With Smriti, we get a left-handed opener a very aggressive batter whose intent aligns with how we want to play. She’s also a calm and tactically astute leader who led RCB to its first WPL title.”
Mandhana’s leadership in the 2025 season was instrumental in RCB breaking their trophy drought, as the franchise lifted its maiden WPL title in March. Her composure and ability to anchor innings at the top have made her central to the team’s long-term plans.
Richa Ghosh: The Rising Star with Match-Winning Mettle
The second retention, Richa Ghosh, has been one of India’s most promising middle-order batters and a game-changer in pressure situations. Rangarajan highlighted her dual role as a wicketkeeper-batter and her temperament in crunch moments.
“Our second retention will be the exciting young wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh. She is among, if not the best, middle-order batters in the competition. Her ability to thrive under pressure is exactly what we want in our batting order,” he said.
“Richa also brings leadership potential she’s fearless, expressive, and adds all-round balance to the side.”
At just 22, Richa has already established herself as one of India’s most clutch players, known for her explosive batting at the death and lightning-quick glovework behind the stumps.
Ellyse Perry: The Standard-Bearer of RCB’s Culture
The evergreen Ellyse Perry, one of the most decorated players in women’s cricket, remains an integral part of RCB’s structure. Rangarajan emphasized that Perry’s value goes far beyond her on-field performances.
“Our third retention will be Ellyse Perry. I could go on about her achievements, but what truly stands out is her influence behind the scenes. The standards she sets for professionalism and preparation are unmatched,” said Rangarajan.
“On the field, she gives us three skills runs, wickets, and fielding. She’s been among the top run-getters across three years and remains one of the most versatile all-rounders in world cricket.”
Perry, who played a pivotal role in RCB’s title-winning campaign, provides depth in both batting and bowling, and continues to serve as a mentor figure to the younger Indian players in the squad.
The final retention, Shreyanka Patil, symbolizes RCB’s commitment to nurturing Indian talent. The young off-spinner, who hails from Bengaluru, made her mark with her energy, wicket-taking ability, and all-round potential.
“Our fourth retention will be Shreyanka Patil, our young and bubbly off-spinner from Bengaluru,” said Rangarajan. “We wanted to be sure about her fitness and form after she spent some time on the sidelines, so we gave her the opportunity to play a few tournaments. After thorough assessment, we decided to retain her.”
“She’s an exceptional cricketer an off-spinner who can bowl across phases, and an Indian capped player. Retaining her allows us to build around three strong Indian core players, alongside Perry.”
Financial Structure and Strategy for the Auction
Rangarajan confirmed that RCB spent a total of ₹8.85 crore on their four retentions:
- Smriti Mandhana – ₹3.5 crore
- Richa Ghosh – ₹2.75 crore
- Ellyse Perry – ₹2 crore
- Shreyanka Patil – ₹60 lakh
This leaves the franchise with ₹6.15 crore in the purse heading into the WPL 2026 Mega Auction, providing them ample flexibility to strengthen key areas.
“This gives us a solid base,” Rangarajan explained. “We’ve secured a captain and opener, a wicketkeeper and middle-order batter, a top-order all-rounder, and a quality Indian spinner. These four players cover critical roles, and we go into the auction with absolute clarity on what we need to add.”
The 2025 WPL title marked a turning point for RCB Women, transforming them from perennial contenders to champions. With a settled leadership group and a balanced core, Rangarajan’s strategy is centered on long-term sustainability and maintaining the culture that brought them success.
“Our philosophy is simple clarity, balance, and belief,” Rangarajan concluded. “With Smriti, Richa, Perry, and Shreyanka, we’ve built a spine that represents RCB’s spirit bold, skilled, and resilient. Now, it’s about building around them smartly and preparing to defend our title.”
The WPL 2026 Mega Auction will take place later this month, with RCB expected to be among the most strategic bidders as they aim to reinforce their championship-winning squad and begin a new era under the same trusted core that made history last season.
