WPL 2025: 3 Key players for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)

WPL 2025: Who are the 3 key players for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) this season? Check out the top performers who can make an impact in the Women's Premier League.

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) 2025

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will enter the upcoming edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) as the defending champions, and expectations will be high from their fans. Under the leadership of Smriti Mandhana, the team will aim to defend their title, but they are set to face several challenges.

Key foreign recruits like Sophie Devine, Sophie Molineux, and Kate Cross will not be available, and while RCB has managed to find replacements, how those decisions pan out remains to be seen. The spin duo of Asha Sobhana and Shreyanka Patil, who played a crucial role in last season’s triumph, are still dealing with fitness concerns after a long injury layoff.

With these uncertainties, RCB will need some players to step up as game-changers in the WPL 2025. Especially, the senior Indian stars with international experience will need to step up and deliver for RCB to have a successful campaign.  

Here are 3 Key players for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the WPL 2025

1. Smriti Mandhana

The star Indian opening batter will be crucial, not just with the bat but also as a leader. Defending the title will be a huge task for skipper Smriti Mandhana, as expectations will be much higher this season compared to the last one. In the previous edition, she led from the front, scoring 300 runs in 10 innings at an average of 30.00 and a strike rate of 133.92. 

Even now, considering the red-hot form (7 fifties and two centuries in her last 10 games across formats) she has been enjoying in international cricket with the bat, fans will hope to see her continue with the same momentum and consistency. This will be crucial to inspire the team with her performances and guide them to another successful campaign.

2. Ellyse Perry

The veteran Australian all-rounder, Ellyse Perry, will once again be a key player, having been one of the top performers in the last season. She played a crucial role in helping her team lift the WPL trophy, scoring 347 runs in nine matches at an impressive average of 69.40 and a strike rate of 125.72. 

Even with the ball, she contributed effectively, picking up seven wickets in seven innings at an economy of 6.81. However, Perry recently sustained a hip injury while fielding during the one-off Ashes Pink-ball Test at the MCG. 

She did not return to the field and only came out to bat at number ten. Her fitness remains a major concern heading into the tournament, as her absence could significantly impact the team’s balance.

3. Richa Ghosh

The star wicketkeeper-batter, Richa Ghosh, is known for her explosive batting and finishing abilities. Once again, she will be crucial for her team, as her power-hitting can turn the game in crunch situations. Last season, she showcased her striking prowess, scoring 257 runs in 10 innings at an impressive average of 42.83 and a blistering strike rate of 141.98.

Fans will be eager to witness more fireworks from her this time, as having an aggressive wicketkeeper-batter provides RCB with the right balance. In December 2024, she etched her name in history by smashing the joint-fastest fifty in Women’s T20Is, reaching the milestone in just 18 balls.

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