Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB Women) have strengthened their squad with a mix of experienced international players and promising Indian talent. With Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry and Richa Ghosh among their key players, the team has retained a strong core while adding overseas all-rounders Chloe Tryon and Jess Jonassen to improve its options for the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) season.
RCB Women have spent ₹14.95 crore in total, including their retention expenditure and auction purchases. With 17 players in the squad and just ₹5 lakh remaining in their purse, the franchise has used almost its entire available budget.
RCB Women Squad: Budget and Key Details
Here is a quick look at Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women’s squad composition and auction spending.
- Retention spend: ₹13.85 crore
- Auction spend: ₹1.10 crore
- Total expenditure: ₹14.95 crore
- Remaining purse: ₹5 lakh
- Total players: 17 out of 18
- Indian players: 11
- Overseas players: 6 out of 6
The numbers show that RCB Women prioritised retaining their established players while using the remaining budget to address specific squad requirements.
Chloe Tryon and Jess Jonassen Add All-Round Strength
One of the notable aspects of RCB Women’s auction strategy was the addition of Chloe Tryon and Jess Jonassen.
South African all-rounder Chloe Tryon was acquired for ₹30 lakh, offering the team another option with both bat and ball. Her aggressive batting and left-arm spin could provide valuable flexibility in different match situations.
Australian all-rounder Jess Jonassen joined the squad for ₹40 lakh. Her experience in international cricket and ability to contribute with both bat and ball could help RCB maintain a better balance between their batting and bowling departments.
RCB also pursued Sophie Molineux but exited the bidding at ₹1.05 crore. The addition of Jonassen gives the team another experienced left-arm spin option, although the two players have different strengths and are not necessarily direct replacements in every role.
Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry Remain Central to RCB’s Plans
Smriti Mandhana, retained at ₹3.5 crore, remains one of the most important players in the RCB Women squad. Her ability to provide a strong start at the top of the order will be crucial to the team’s batting performance.
Australian star Ellyse Perry, retained at ₹2 crore, offers experience and versatility. Her contributions with both bat and ball make her a valuable player in the team’s overall combination.
Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, retained at ₹2.75 crore, adds power to the middle order and provides an attacking option during the later stages of an innings.
Georgia Voll, acquired for ₹60 lakh, adds another batting option from Australia. Together, these players give RCB a strong foundation in the top and middle order.
RCB Women Squad by Category
Batters
- Smriti Mandhana – ₹3.5 crore
- Georgia Voll – ₹60 lakh
- Tejal Hasabnis – ₹30 lakh
- Vrinda Dinesh – ₹10 lakh
Wicketkeepers
- Richa Ghosh – ₹2.75 crore
- Prathyoosha Kumar – ₹10 lakh
All-rounders
- Ellyse Perry – ₹2 crore
- Nadine de Klerk – ₹65 lakh
- Shreyanka Patil – ₹60 lakh
- Jess Jonassen – ₹40 lakh
- Chloe Tryon – ₹30 lakh
- Sayali Satghare – ₹30 lakh
- Prema Rawat – ₹20 lakh
Bowlers
- Lauren Bell – ₹90 lakh
- Pooja Vastrakar – ₹85 lakh
- Arundhati Reddy – ₹75 lakh
- Radha Yadav – ₹65 lakh
Bowling Depth Could Be a Key Concern
While RCB Women have a well-balanced group of all-rounders, their bowling depth will be an important factor to watch.
Lauren Bell brings pace and height to the bowling attack, while Pooja Vastrakar and Arundhati Reddy provide Indian pace options. Radha Yadav, Shreyanka Patil and Jess Jonassen strengthen the spin department.
However, the team has only four players listed in the specialist bowlers category. This means the all-rounders may need to take on significant bowling responsibilities, depending on the playing conditions and final team combination.
Pooja Vastrakar’s availability and fitness, along with the performances of the team’s Indian pace options, could be particularly important in determining how effectively RCB manage their bowling resources.
Can RCB Women Build on Their Strong Core?
RCB Women appear to have prioritised continuity rather than making major changes to their squad. Keeping established players such as Mandhana, Perry and Ghosh gives the franchise a dependable core, while the additions of Tryon and Jonassen provide further all-round options.
The team’s biggest strength is its versatility. Several players can contribute in multiple departments, allowing the management to adjust the playing XI according to the opposition and pitch conditions.
The main challenge will be finding the right balance between specialist bowlers, all-rounders and batters. With only ₹5 lakh left in the purse and one squad place unfilled, the franchise has very limited room for further recruitment.
Conclusion
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women have assembled a competitive squad built around experienced international stars and promising Indian players. The signings of Chloe Tryon and Jess Jonassen add depth to the all-rounder department, while Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry and Richa Ghosh remain central to the team’s plans.
Although the squad looks strong on paper, bowling depth and the availability of key players could influence RCB’s performance during the season. If their all-rounders deliver consistently and the specialist bowlers perform well, RCB Women could have the balance needed to challenge for the WPL title.
