R CB name Ben Sawyer as head coach for WPL 2023

Aayush Mahajan

image-le5j2ptoSawyer is the new RCB coach [Twitter]

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has announced its coaching and support staff for the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2023 with Ben Sawyer hand-picked as the head coach.

Boasting of exemplary coaching credentials, Sawyer, who is the current head coach of New Zealand women's team, has assisted Australia to two T20 World Cup trophies. He has also coached the Sydney Sixers to Women's Big Bash League titles twice.

Malolan Ranjan will act as Sawyer's deputy, being in charge as the head of scouting and assistant coach. Vanitha VR will take up the roles of the fielding coach and a scout. RX Murali has been signed as the batting coach.

RCB's Director of Cricket Operations Mike Hesson talked about Sawyer's appointment, stating that his experience of coaching various women teams will come handy for the Bangalore-based franchise.

"He has been involved in Women’s cricket for over 20 years, knows the women’s game inside out, knows the players very well. He has been thoroughly involved in our preparations leading up to the auction as well," Hesson was quoted as saying in the press release.

"Really delighted to get Ben, sort of spoke to him prior to knowing we were going to get a team and just sussing out potentially whether he would be interested, and he was really excited too. He has been involved in setting up Sydney Sixers from the start of the Big Bash (WBBL), setting the franchise up, and he did the same with The Hundred. So hugely experienced."

In another interesting development, legendary India tennis player Sania was roped in by RCB as its mentor.

RCB Women coaching and support staff for WPL 2023

Director of Cricket Operations: Mike Hesson

Head Coach: Ben Sawyer 

Assistant Coach and Head of Scouting: Malolan Rangarajan

Scout and Fielding Coach: Vanitha VR

Batting Coach: RX Murali 

Mentor: Sania Mirza

Team Manager and Team Doctor: Dr. Harini 

Head Athletic Therapist: Navnita Gautam 

Strength and Conditioning Coach: Huzefa Talib 

Head Physio: Sabyasachi Sahoo 

Head of Operations: Soumyadeep Pyne

Assistant Physio: Mridu Gautam 

Assistant Massage Therapist: Radhika Bhikan Chaudhari