RCB retention: Star performers franchise should retain for WPL 2026 season

Star performers RCB-W should retain [Source:@ImTanujSingh/x.com]

Not only the Indian Premier League (IPL), but the Women’s Premier League (WPL) will also hog the limelight as the mega auction will take place next month, and all five WPL sides will have to submit their retention list before the auction date. As per reports, each team is allowed to retain a maximum of five players, while the player purse for the auction will be INR 15 crore.

The focus will be on Smriti Mandhana’s Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as they aim to reclaim their WPL crown. The team captured the title in 2024, but they failed to deliver the goods in the 2025 season. Ahead of the WPL retention deadline day and the auction, we take a look at 4 RCB-W proven performers the team should retain.

1) Smriti Mandhana

The captain of the side, Smriti Mandhana, will most likely be the first name on the retention list. She led the team to their maiden title in 2024, and despite a poor run of form in WPL 2025, RCB has shown full faith in him and will retain her.

(Mandhana in WPL 2025)

• In terms of run-scoring, the last season was not Mandhana’s best; however, in terms of strike rate, the 2025 season was her best. She had a strike rate of 136, and in recent times, she has been in terrific form. The batter will aim to carry the same form next season as RCB aim to win the title back.

2) Ellyse Perry

Another obvious choice for RCB retention is the Australian all-rounder, Ellyse Perry. In a disappointing 2025 season for the franchise, Perry was the lone shining light as she kept her franchise in hunt in most of the games.

(Perry in WPL 2025)

• While other batters struggled for runs, including Mandhana, Perry dominated the proceedings and slammed 372 runs, with a strike rate of nearly 149. She was the lone warrior for her side, and also chipped in with the ball as at any cost, RCB will aim to retain the Australian superstar.

3) Richa Ghosh

The finisher of the franchise, Richa Ghosh’s rise has been meteoric and the team depends on her to finish off the games. It won’t be an understatement to say that Richa Ghosh is the best finisher in the WPL.

(Richa Ghosh in WPL 2025)

• 230 runs in WPL 2025, but most importantly, Richa struck at 175, which was one of the highest strike rates in the league. In the 2025 campaign, she won a couple of games for RCB on her own, and the franchise will aim to retain her at any cost as well.

4) Georgia Wareham

Another Aussie that makes the list - Georgia Wareham. A brilliant all-rounder who can contribute in every aspect, Wareham was RCB’s best bowler in the 2025 season, and the stats tell the entire story.

(Wareham in WPL 2025)

• Wareham is a street-smart cricketer, and she used all her tricks to pick 12 wickets in WPL 2025 at an economy of 8.79. RCB’s biggest complaints has been a lack of genuine wicket-takers, and since they have Wareham in their ranks, the franchise must make sure that the Aussie gets into the retention list.

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