As the Women's Premier League (WPL) prepares for its fourth season, a major shake-up could be on the cards with the possible return of a mega auction in 2026. This move, reminiscent of the men’s IPL format, could see teams rebuilding their squads almost from scratch, retaining only a select few players while the rest return to the auction pool.

While the final rules regarding the number of retentions, auction purse, and right-to-match (RTM) cards are yet to be confirmed, every franchise will be strategizing carefully. For Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), who finally tasted glory in the WPL, identifying their core group will be crucial to maintaining balance and momentum.

Here’s a look at five players RCB must retain ahead of the WPL 2026 auction.

1. Smriti Mandhana

An obvious choice, Smriti Mandhana remains the heartbeat of RCB. As captain and opener, she has led from the front with consistent performances and smart leadership. Her evolution as a batter and her ability to anchor or accelerate depending on the situation make her indispensable.

Having guided RCB to their maiden WPL title and continuing to shine at the international level, Mandhana embodies what the franchise stands for class, composure, and consistency. There’s no question that RCB will build their next cycle around her.

2. Richa Ghosh

Dynamic, fearless, and efficient, Richa Ghosh is one of the finest wicketkeeper-batters in the country. At just 22, she has already proven her worth in crunch situations, whether it’s finishing innings with power or keeping her cool behind the stumps.

Given the scarcity of high-quality Indian wicketkeepers in the women’s circuit, letting Ghosh go would be a huge risk. Her maturity and composure have made her an invaluable part of RCB’s middle order, and she is undoubtedly a long-term investment.

3. Ellyse Perry

When it comes to reliability and impact, Ellyse Perry is in a league of her own. A proven match-winner across formats, Perry has been the backbone of RCB’s batting order, combining elegance with consistency.

She was RCB’s top run-scorer and the second-highest overall in one of the earlier editions, averaging close to 65 with a healthy strike rate. Her performances in other leagues, like the WBBL and The Hundred, have shown she still has plenty to offer. RCB will know that replacing someone of Perry’s calibre from the auction pool would be almost impossible.

ALSO SEE: Delhi High Court dismisses PIL against BCCI using ‘Team India’ name

4. Sophie Molineux

Versatile and tactical, Sophie Molineux adds immense value as a left-arm spinner and lower-order batter. Her absence due to injury was a major blow for RCB in 2025, especially after her key role in their championship-winning 2024 campaign.

Recently, Molineux has continued to impress on the global stage, helping the Melbourne Renegades clinch the BBL 2024-25 title and delivering standout performances in the ongoing Women’s ODI World Cup. Her ability to deliver breakthroughs and contribute with the bat makes her one of the smartest retentions RCB could make.

5. Shreyanka Patil

Shreyanka Patil’s rise has been one of RCB’s biggest success stories. The leading wicket-taker in the WPL 2024, she quickly established herself as one of India’s most exciting young spinners before injuries sidelined her in 2025.

Now back in action after featuring in the 2025 Caribbean Premier League (CPL), Shreyanka is seen as a key piece in RCB’s future plans. Her blend of wicket-taking ability, energy, and aggression makes her a player around whom RCB can build their spin attack for years to come.

Honourable Mentions:

• Georgia Wareham – Reliable leg-spinner and handy lower-order hitter.
• Sneh Rana – Experienced Indian all-rounder with leadership traits.
• Renuka Singh Thakur – Proven new-ball bowler capable of early breakthroughs.

Final Thoughts

With a potential mega auction on the horizon, Royal Challengers Bangalore face the tough task of balancing experience and youth. However, retaining the likes of Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Sophie Molineux, and Shreyanka Patil would give them a stable and formidable core, one that can ensure sustained success and possibly more silverware in the seasons to come.

Australia, the most successful team in women’s cricket, has announced its 15-player squad for the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. The tournament will be held in India and Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2. With seven titles already, Australia will try to defend their crown and win an eighth World Cup.

Victorian spinner Sophie Molineux returns from a knee injury she suffered in January. She will miss the three-match ODI series against India from September 14 to 20, but is set to play in the World Cup. Darcie Brown (quad injury) and Georgia Wareham (groin injury) have also recovered, strengthening the 15-player Australian squad.

Molineux last played an ODI on December 11, 2024. The 27-year-old has played 13 ODIs, taking 23 wickets at an average of 14.39 and an economy rate of 3.29. Her return will boost Australia’s spin attack.

Also Read -UP T20 league hit by match-fixing scare bookie caught over ₹1 crore bribe attempt

Alyssa Healy returned to Australia A last month after injuries disrupted her 2024-25 summer. Team physio Kate Beerworth confirmed the players are fit for the World Cup, saying, “Sophie Molineux is progressing well, and Alyssa Healy made a strong return. Georgia Wareham is back to full training after her adductor injury.”

Molineux is one of five Australians making her first 50-over World Cup appearance. Ten players were part of the 2022 tournament. Star wicket-keeper-batter Healy will lead the squad in her third World Cup, following Meg Lanning’s retirement in 2023. Experienced players include Ellyse Perry, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, Tahlia McGrath, and Ashleigh Gardner.

THE AUSTRALIAN SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT FOR WOMEN'S WORLD CUP. 👏pic.twitter.com/SfqykwDjxX

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) September 5, 2025

Preparing for Indian Conditions

Australia’s selectors are confident about the team’s chances in India. National selector Shawn Flegler said, “A World Cup in India is one of cricket’s biggest assignments, but this group is ready.” He added that experience from subcontinent tours and the Women’s Premier League (WPL) will help players adapt to Indian conditions.

Australia will play a three-match ODI series against India before the World Cup. Their campaign starts on October 1 in Indore against New Zealand. With a mix of experienced champions and emerging stars, Australia is once again one of the favourites for the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025.

Australia Squad: Alyssa Healy (c), Darcie Brown, Ash Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Voll, Georgia Wareham.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Draft Charlie Dean as Replacement for Injured Sophie Molineux

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which is a cricket team, has a new player from England named Charlie Dean. Miss Dean's going to play instead of Sophie Molineux because Sophie got hurt and can't play. Sophie was clearly an utterly excellent player. Miss Molineux could hit the ball very far and throw it extremely fast. During this single occasion she played 10 games, she scored 78 points and got the other team out 12 times!

Now she can't play, and her team might miss her a lot. But Charlie is coming to help the team, and there might possibly be a connection with how talented she is similar to Sophie. Everyone is excited for the third Women's Premier League in 2025!

Charlie Dean’s inclusion is expected to fill the void left by Molineux. The 23-year-old English cricketer has been a rising star in international cricket, known for her exceptional bowling skills and handy contributions with the bat. Dean’s off-spin bowling has often been a game-changer, making her a valuable asset in the shortest format of the game.

ALSO READ: Yo-Yo Test Revival: BCCI Shifts Focus Back to Fitness

Charlie Dean replaced Sophie Molineux , Welcome to RCB family Dean💗🙌 pic.twitter.com/jxgL9q15v6

— Vinay (@Koxassassin) January 16, 2025

RCB’s Outlook for WPL 2025

Our team, RCB, has a major goal for this year's Women's Premier League, which is the third time it's happening. They just told everyone that Charlie Dean is joining the team. People are feeling types of emotions about this news. A lot of fans think Dean will do unfathomably well, but some are sad that Molineux can't play. Still, everyone who loves RCB really hopes the team will achieve big successes even though it's a bit tough without Molineux. The individuals or people who teach the players how to play better and our captain really want to see the team do really well. Dean coming could make our bowling better, because she's a strong player who can handle tough games and play well even when it's hard. The RCB team is looking for a good mix of players and wants to keep it like that.

🔊 OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT 🔊

Our champion all-rounder Sophie Molineux has unfortunately been ruled out of #WPL2025 due to a knee injury, and England all-rounder 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐧 has been chosen as her replacement.

Welcome to #ನಮ್ಮRCB, Charlie! We can’t… pic.twitter.com/99LrPa1oMl

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) January 16, 2025

It's also fun to see all the teams try sharp and informed ideas to have a better chance to win in the league. Dean is positive under stress and can get used to changes when it occurs, which is very helpful for our team, and with Dean around, our bowling might get a major boost. Now it's time to watch Dean when she plays to find out if she can be as amazing in the WPL as she has been in other major games around the world. All the individuals or people who are cheering for RCB are hoping very much that Dean will help the team have an amazing season and maybe achieve a great victory. Even though some fans are unclear, we all want our team on top. The WPL now should be really exciting since all the teams, like RCB, are moments parallel to each other!

Charlie Dean Career Stats

Bowling

Batting & Fielding

Australia has always been a formidable challenger in cricket, regardless of gender. This year, the white-ball superpower continues to dominate the ICC Women's World Cup 2024, demonstrating remarkable talent and collaboration. The Australian women's cricket teams have been the most successful.

Australia are the defending champions and have won the highest number of titles (six times), and they are hungry to make it seven in the forthcoming event in the United Arab Emirates. With that stated, here is the official entire roster, probable XI, and top three players to watch from the Australian side. 

Announced Women's Australia 2024 T20 World Cup Full Squad: 

Alyssa Healy (Captain & Wicketkeepeer), Tahlia McGrath (Vice-Captain), Darcie Brown, Ashleigh Gardner, Kim Garth, Grace Harris, Alana King, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Tayla Vlaeminck

Australia's Probable XI:

1. Alyssa Healy (Captain & Wicketkeeper)
2. Beth Mooney
3. Ellyse Perry
4. Tahlia McGrath (Vice-Captain)
5. Phobe Litchfield
6. Ashleigh Gardner
7. Annabel Sutherland
8. Georgia Wareham
9. Sophie Molineux
10. Megan Schutt
11. Tayla Vlaeminck

Also Read: 2024 Women's T20 World Cup: India Women's Team squad, Probable XI & Top 3 players to check out

Top 3 players to check out from Australia in the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup:

Ellyse Perry

Ellyse Perry is known for being the reliable all-rounder for the Aussies side and the youngest player to debut for the down-under Arsenal. Ellyse Perry is an all-rounding superstar, and her records in all three forms reflect her outstanding career. Ellyse is a global cricket hero who inspires young players worldwide.

Her all-around talent has propelled Australia to unprecedented success across forms. Ellyse Perry, an Australian cricketer, has won several Cricket Australia and International Cricket Council accolades, demonstrating her exceptional playing abilities. In 154 T20I matches, she scored 1878 runs and took 126 wickets.   

Sophie Molineux

Sophie Molineux has been known for her pivotal role as a spinner and a handy batter during crucial times for the team. Molineux's recent prominence would come from her recent WPL performance for her triumphant team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where she scalped major wickets and made a handful of pivotal runs.

That said, it is no surprise that the upcoming tournament would pave the way for her consistent performance. In her T20I stint, she has made 588 runs and scalped 47 wickets. 

Darcie Browne

Darcie Brown's name has been cited by many cricket fanatics, mainly because of her quality bowling as a pacer across all the formats of the game.

Primarily known for her speed and bouncing deliveries, Brown can become a batter's deadly nightmare, with her news of recovering from an injury and eagerness to unleash her X-factor. In her T20I stint, she has scalped 28 wickets in 30 matches at a mere economy of over six.

The Women’s Premier League 2024 final has kicked off with a bang as Shafali Verma showcases her batting prowess while receiving solid support from Meg Lanning. Delhi Capitals have begun their innings with an explosive start against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.

Explosive Start by Delhi Capitals

Shafali Verma has set the stage on fire with her aggressive batting display, taking the Royal Challengers Bangalore bowlers to task right from the outset. In the powerplay overs, Delhi Capitals amassed a formidable total of 61 runs in the first six overs, laying a solid foundation for their innings. This blistering start reflects the team’s determination to dominate the final match and clinch the title.

See Also: Rohit wants Kohli, report claims amidst T20 World Cup squad speculations

Impact of Shafali Verma’s Performance

Shafali Verma’s stellar performance in the powerplay overs deserves special mention, as she single-handedly dismantled the opposition’s bowling attack. Her fearless approach and attacking mindset have put the Royal Challengers Bangalore bowlers under immense pressure, setting the tone for Delhi Capitals’ batting onslaught in the crucial encounter. Shafali Verma scored 44 runs off 27 balls and missed her fifty with consecutive fifty with just 6 runs but she has done her work. Captian Meg Lanning also gone just 23 runs off 23 balls.

Comeback from Sophie Molineux

Sophie Molineux struck thrice in one over to against Delhi Capitals’ progress in the ongoing final of WPL 2024. She took wickets of Shafali, Jemimah and Capsey for RCB in an over. RCB are bossing this game at the moment. Currently DC at 74/4 after 11 Overs.

Delhi Capitals’ Strategy: Opting to Bat First

Under Meg Lanning’s leadership, Delhi Capitals made a strategic decision to bat first after winning the toss. This decision reflects their confidence in their batting lineup and intent to post a challenging total on the board.

Meg Lanning’s Leadership and Delhi Capitals’ Journey

Meg Lanning’s astute captaincy has successfully guided Delhi Capitals to the Women’s Premier League 2024 summit clash. With 12 points from eight games, Delhi Capitals topped the league table and secured a direct berth in the final. Lanning’s leadership qualities and tactical acumen have been pivotal in steering the team through the challenges of the tournament.

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Path to the Final

On the other hand, Royal Challengers Bangalore, led by Smriti Mandhana, finished third in the league phase and faced Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator. Despite a few setbacks, they have showcased resilience and determination to reach the final, setting the stage for an enthralling contest against Delhi Capitals.