Smriti Mandhana was the front-runner to lead the team after being recruited by the franchise, as the left-hander is also a member of the international leadership group. She serves as Harmanpreet Kaur’s deputy and has captained the team in her absence.
From one No. 18 to another, from one skipper to another, the franchise wrote on Twitter.
Mandhana joined RCB for a whopping Rs 3.4 crore. Mandhana, the first pick of the day, also became the most expensive player in the WPL auction. Apart from RCB, Mumbai Indians (MI) were also interested in her services but were unable to secure them.
Surprisingly, RCB was also interested in Harmanpreet Kaur’s services. MI won the bidding war for her. RCB also paid Rs 1.7 crore for star all-rounder Ellyse Perry. They spent a lot of money on Renuka Thakur (1.5 crore) and Richa Ghosh (1.9 crore).
Sophie Devine will join the Bengaluru-based franchise. Tennis star Sania Mirza will join the RCB backroom staff as a mentor, while Ben Sawyer will take on the role of head coach. Other members of the RCB coaching staff include Malolan Rangarajan and VR Vanitha.
Royal Challengers Bangalore squad: Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Devine, Ellyse Perry, Renuka Singh, Richa Ghosh, Erin Burns, Disha Kasat, Indrani Roy, Shreyanka Patil, Kanika Ahuja, Asha Shobana, Heather Knight, Dane van Niekerk, Preeti Bose, Poonam Khemnar, Komal Zanzad, Megan Schutt, Sahana Pawar.
