Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Feb 18: Smriti Mandhana will serve as captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore in the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL). The news was made via a video posted to RCB’s social media accounts, which also featured remarks from previous and current men’s team captains Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis.
“Now it’s time for another No. 18 to lead a very special RCB team in WPL. Yes, we are talking about Smriti Mandhana. Go on Smriti. You have the support best team and best fans in the world,” Kohli said.
“It is an incredible privilege to captain RCB, what an incredible franchise and so much history and great players just walking through that dressing room. I am very confident that our women’s captain has all the attributes to lead RCB. All the very best, Smriti Mandhana. See you at the games,” du Plessis said.
From one No. 18 to another, from one skipper to another, Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis announce RCB’s captain for the Women’s Premier League – Smriti Mandhana. #PlayBold #WPL2023 #CaptainSmriti @mandhana_smriti pic.twitter.com/sqmKnJePPu
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 18, 2023
The first name that was put up for bid at the WPL auction, which was held on February 13 in Mumbai, was Mandhana’s. Her purchase by RCB for INR 3.4 crore (about USD 415,000) was the highest price paid for any player at the auction. As was to be expected, there was a bidding war between Mumbai Indians and RCB for her.
On the eve of the auction, Mike Hesson, the director of cricket for the RCB, made a hint that Mandhana would be in command. In 11 T20Is under her leadership, India has won six (including five of the most recent) and lost five matches.
She also served as the team captain for Trailblazers during all four seasons of the Women’s T20 Challenge, the WPL’s predecessor, and helped them win the championship in 2020.
Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine, Heather Knight, and Dane van Niekerk are all part of the competitive RCB WPL squad. On March 4, Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants will face off in the tournament’s opening match. Beginning March 5 versus Delhi Capitals, RCB will play.
The entire tournament is scheduled to be contested in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, meaning that RCB will not have any home games in season one.
