WPL: Sania Mirza joins RCB as team mentor for Women's Premier League

“The WPL will help push women’s sports in the country to new heights and open new doors for female cricketers.”

Sania Mirza has been appointed as the Royal Challengers Bangalore mentor for the first ever Women’s Premier League (WPL), which will be held in Mumbai from March 4 to 26.

Mirza, the first Indian woman to win a major title (six in women’s doubles and mixed doubles), is expected to join the squad after the ATP Dubai Open, which is likely to be her final professional tournament. Mirza, 36, announced her retirement from professional tennis before the Australian Open, where she and her partner Rohan Bopanna finished second in the mixed doubles.

The pioneer in Indian sports for women, a youth icon, someone who has played Bold and broken barriers throughout her career, and a champion on and off the field. We are proud to welcome Sania Mirza as the mentor of the RCB women’s cricket team. 🤩#PlayBold @MirzaSania pic.twitter.com/eMOMU84lsC

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 15, 2023

“I was surprised, but excited,” Mirza told RCB TV. “I want to persuade young girls that sports can be one of their first career options. I want to inspire the next generation to believe that no matter how long the odds are stacked against them, they can achieve their dreams.”

Mirza was especially excited about working with the super young Indian players and assisting them in dealing with pressure. “I’m looking forward to working with the younger girls on the mental aspect of it,” she said. “I believe I can [assist in] bringing mental steadiness, mental belief, and I can speak of the experiences I’ve had over 20 years of playing. Being the only [Indian] woman doing it for so long has been lonely, but the pressure has been intense, and that is something I can truly assist with.”

Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Sophie Devine, Dane van Niekerk, and Richa Ghosh headlined the inaugural auction last week for Royal Challengers.

The Royal Challengers have yet to announce their entire coaching staff, but they do have VR Vanitha, a former India international, and Malolan Rangarajan, a lead talent scout for the Royal Challengers men’s team, on their support staff, and Mike Hesson will be the team’s director of cricket.