The Women’s Premier League (WPL) is back! And guess what? The 2025 season is kicking off with a blockbuster clash. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on Gujarat Giants (GG) in the season opener on February 14 at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.
RCB, led by Smriti Mandhana, finally lifted their maiden title in 2024 after edging out Delhi Capitals in a high-octane final. But this season? The road to glory looks a bit rough. Injuries. Withdrawals. Uncertainty.
RCB’s Challenges and Replacements
RCB isn’t entering WPL 2025 with a full-strength squad.
- Sophie Devine – Taking a break for personal reasons.
- Sophie Molineux – Sidelined due to injury.
- Kate Cross – Withdrew to focus on recovery.
To fill these gaps, RCB brought in some key replacements:
- Charlie Dean (ENG) – Replacing Molineux.
- Heather Graham (AUS) & Kim Garth (AUS) – Covering for Devine and Cross.
- Ellyse Perry – Back from a hip injury but still not at 100%.
Full RCB Squad for WPL 2025
Smriti Mandhana (C), Richa Ghosh, Sabbhineni Meghana, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Kanika Ahuja, Charlie Dean, Kim Garth, Heather Graham, Shreyanka Patil, Ellyse Perry, Raghvi Bist, Asha Sobhana, Ekta Bisht, Renuka Singh, Georgia Wareham, VJ Joshitha, Jagravi Pawar, Prema Rawat.
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On paper, RCB still looks strong. But form? That’s another story. Here are three players who need to step up if RCB wants to defend their title.
1. Ellyse Perry – The Comeback Queen?
Perry was RCB’s MVP last season. She smashed 347 runs in nine innings at an insane average of 69.40. Two fifties. Seven wickets. She did it all.
But here’s the problem. Her form lately? Not great.
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- 2025 Women’s Ashes (ODIs): 76 runs in three games. Just one fifty.
- T20Is: A mere 21 runs across three matches.
- Test Match: Just 2 runs in a single innings.
And let’s not forget—she’s coming off a hip injury. Can she hit peak form in time? RCB sure hopes so.
2. Sabbhineni Meghana – Consistency is Key
Meghana was a solid contributor last season—168 runs in six innings, including a crucial fifty. But lately, she’s been struggling.
- Senior Women’s T20 Trophy 2024: 79 runs in seven innings. Best score? 25. Average? Just 11.29.
- Senior Women’s One Day Trophy: 143 runs in seven innings. Highest score? 41*.
With RCB relying heavily on their top order, Meghana has to find her rhythm fast.
3. Danni Wyatt-Hodge – A Game-Changer
Wyatt is set for her WPL debut, and RCB fans are excited. But here’s the catch – her recent numbers don’t inspire confidence.
- 2025 Women’s Ashes (ODIs): 73 runs in three matches.
- T20Is: 69 runs in three games.
- Test Match: 24 runs across two innings.
Wyatt is a natural aggressor. If she finds her touch, she can give RCB explosive starts. But if her struggles continue, it could be a problem.
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