Mandhana-Perry get Lauren Bell boost: Analysing RCB squad for WPL 2026

RCB's WPL 2026 analysis [Source: AFP Photo]

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction is over, and all five teams have assembled a strong squad for the next season. Perhaps, the strongest team for next season has been made by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as almost all of their loopholes have been covered.

The core of the team was retained before the mega auction as the likes of Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh and Shreyanka Patil were trusted for next season, and the former WPL champions plugged in their loopholes in the auction.

With the RCB squad ready for next season, here is how they fare after the auction and their strongest XI revealed for the WPL 2026 campaign.

RCB's retained players

Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh, Shreyanka Patil

Players RCB bought in WPL mega auction

Strong batting order - blueprint for RCB's win

• RCB had already retained Mandhana, Perry, and Ghosh as their batters for next season, and their majority of the problem was already solved.
• The team then needed a solid opener to accompany Mandhana, two power-packed middle-order batters, and that was smoothly done in the auction as Georgia Voll, Grace Harris and Nadine de Klerk were roped in to strengthen the squad.
• RCB’s only problem will be to incorporate all the foreign batters in the playing XI, as one of Voll or Harris might have to sit out.

(Voll and Harris for AUS in T20Is)

• Two solid Australian batters, but only one will play as the RCB squad would love to have De Klerk as the finisher alongside Richa Ghosh. Perry is a sure starter, and hence, one of Voll or Haris might be picked.

Strong finishing options at helm

In Richa Ghosh and Nadine de Klerk, RCB perhaps has the best finishing duo in the league. Earlier, Richa used to carry the finishing burden, but from next season onwards, that burden will be divided.

(Richa Ghosh in WPL)

• RCB arguably has the best finisher in the entire WPL and the stats reveal the story. She strikes at 150, and is their most important player in the setup.
• Moreover, De Klerk’s exploits was well known in the Women’s World Cup, and together, the pair form a deadly duo.

Bowling a bit weak heading into WPL season

• The team acquired Lauren Bell, the English star in their setup, and apart from her, the team has also bought Pooja Vastrakar and Arundhati Reddy in their bowling department, but apart from Bell, the other bowlers don't give much confidence.
• Vastrakar just has 7 wickets in the WPL, while Arundhati Reddy picked just 4 wickets last season, and this could come back to haunt the former WPL champions.
• However, in Shreyanka Patil, and Linsey Smith, RCB has an interesting and a promising spin department, but they'll be hoping that the pacers deliver the goods.

RCB's strongest XI for WPL 2026

Smriti Mandhana

Georgia Voll/Grace Harris ✈️

Dayalan Hemalatha

Ellyse Perry ✈️

Richa Ghosh

Nadine de Klerk ✈️

Pooja Vastrakar

Shreyanka Patil

Lauren Bell ✈️

Arundhati Reddy

Radha Yadav

Conclusion

The core of the team was retained as RCB managed to plug in the loopholes and invested in quality players. Their batting looks the best on paper, and while the pace department lacks the cutting-edge, their spinners look promising as the team will aim to clinch their second WPL title.

Overall rating: 8/10

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