Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Smriti Mandhana expressed satisfaction with her franchise’s bolstered bowling attack following the Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction on Saturday, stating that the line-up now boasts significant experience. Mandhana emphasized the team’s focus on strengthening the spin unit and recruiting overseas pacers to complement Renuka Singh effectively.
RCB achieved the right balance with their thoughtful acquisitions at the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 Player Auction held in Mumbai on Saturday. The team secured one of the country’s most experienced spinners and Khel Ratna awardee, Ekta Bisht (Rs 60 lakh), who holds the distinction of being the first Indian woman to take a hat-trick in T20 Internationals. They further fortified their pace attack by adding England’s Kate Cross (Rs 30 lakh) and young Indian all-rounder Simran Bahadur (Rs 30 lakh).
“Bowling is undoubtedly crucial in T20s, and a formidable bowling side can lead you to victory. This year, our focus was on strengthening the spin unit and recruiting overseas pacers who can complement Renuka [Singh] effectively. With the addition of Kate Cross, who I believe will complement Renuka well in the power play, and the experience brought in by Molineux and Wareham, our bowling unit looks very formidable. Additionally, we have players like Shreyanka [Patil], Sophie Devine, and Ellyse Perry,” Mandhana said in a statement released by RCB. RCB made seven strategic bids to fill vacant spots and create a robust squad for the upcoming season. The team’s comprehensive planning and strategy were evident, thanks to the proficient backroom staff, including head coach Luke Williams, assistant head coach, and head of scouting Malolan Rangarajan. Crucial tactical inputs from skipper Smriti Mandhana also played a pivotal role in shaping RCB’s strategy.
In line with RCB’s commitment to providing a platform for local young talents, the team secured promising domestic all-rounder Shubha Satheesh (Rs 10 lakh) from Bengaluru.