Just hours before the WPL 2024 auction, former Indian skipper Anjum Chopra revealed her strategy for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The Smriti Mandhana-led franchise has a strong batting lineup and some star power, with players Ellyse Perry, Heather Knight, Renuka Singh, and Sophie Devine in their squad. However, having released players like Dané Van Niekerk and Megan Schutt, they are in dire need of bowlers and all-rounders.
Anjum Chopra reiterated the same. Talking about it on her YouTube channel, the former Indian skipper said, “The players they need the most are a left-arm spinner and one or two Indian all-rounders to support Ellyse Perry and Heather Knight.”
With four Indian and three overseas slots left, Anjum also said, “They’ll be looking at the middle order after Heather Knight. Who’ll sustain their middle order? That is where they need an Indian player, which they missed out on in the last WPL auction.”
RCB women need to bolster the middle order as well as pace-bowling depth. The release of players like Megan Schutt opens up opportunities for acquisitions such as Annabel Sutherland and Shabnim Ismail. Indian all-rounder Devika Vaidya could also be a great option as well.
Royal Challengers Bangalore women squad ahead of the WPL 2024 auction
Retained Players: Shobana Asha, Disha Kasat, Ellyse Perry*, Heather Knight*, Indrani Roy, Kanika Ahuja, Renuka Singh, Richa Ghosh, Shreyanka Patil, Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Devine*
Released Players: Dané Van Niekerk*, Erin Burns*, Komal Zanzad, Megan Schutt*, Poonam Khemnar, Preeti Bose, Sahana Pawar
Slots Left: 7
Indian slots left: 4
Overseas Slot left: 3
Purse Left: 3.35 crore