RCB retain 13 players, release four ahead of WPL 2027
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru retain 13 stars, including Smriti Mandhana, ahead of the WPL 2027 season.
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have officially kicked off their preparations for the WPL 2027 season. In a strategic move to maintain their dominance, the franchise has decided to retain 13 players from their championship-winning squad while releasing four members of the team.
Building on Championship Glory
The decision comes as RCB looks to defend the title they secured during a historic 2026 campaign. The team reached the pinnacle of the tournament on February 5, when they defeated the Delhi Capitals by six wickets in a thrilling final held at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.
That final remains etched in WPL history, as RCB successfully chased down a massive target of 204 runs—marking the highest successful run chase ever recorded in a WPL final. The victory was fueled by explosive performances from the team's core, which the management has now chosen to keep intact.
The Stars of the Final
The championship win was defined by two standout batting performances:
- Smriti Mandhana: Led the onslaught with a breathtaking 87 runs off just 41 deliveries.
- Georgia Voll: Provided crucial momentum with a rapid-fire 79 to seal the win.
RCB Squad Breakdown for WPL 2027
Retained Players
The core of the title-winning roster remains unchanged, featuring a mix of international superstars and domestic talent:
- Smriti Mandhana
- Ellyse Perry
- Georgia Voll
- Richa Ghosh
- Shreyanka Patil
- Radha Yadav
- Pooja Vastrakar
- Lauren Bell
- Nadine de Klerk
- Arundhati Reddy
- Prathyoosha Kumar
- Prema Rawat
- Sayali Satghare
Released Players
As part of the squad restructuring, the following four players have been released:
- Grace Harris
- Linsey Smith
- Gautami Naik
- Dayalan Hemalatha
With the majority of their championship-winning engine room still in place, Royal Challengers Bengaluru will now focus on identifying new talent to further strengthen their lineup for the upcoming season.