Royal Challengers Bengaluru, commonly known by the abbreviation RCB always, is an Indian professional franchise cricket team based in Bengaluru, Karnataka that competes in the Women's Premier League. It is owned by Aditya Birla Group, which also owns the Men's team. The team is coached by Malolan Rangarajan and captained by Smriti Mandhana. RCB won the 2024 season, bringing the first trophy for the franchise. It is also the most popular and followed cricket franchise on Instagram with more than 21 million followers.
History In October 2022, the BCCI announced its intentions to hold a five-team women's franchise cricket tournament in March 2023. The tournament was named the Women's Premier League in January 2023, with investors buying the rights to franchises through a closed bidding process during the same month. Diageo, the owners of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League, bought the rights to one of the franchises.
In February 2023, Ben Sawyer was announced as head coach of the team. The inaugural player auction for the WPL was held on 13 February 2023, Royal Challengers Bangalore signing 18 players for their squad. On 18 February 2023, Smriti Mandhana was announced as the team's captain. The team finished fourth in the group stage at the inaugural tournament.
In September 2023, Luke Williams was announced as the head coach for the 2024 season. The team won three of their five Bengaluru-leg matches, and then they went on to win one match out of their next three matches. Ending the league stage with four wins, the team qualified for the playoffs.
In the eliminator, the team defeated the defending champions — Mumbai Indians, to advance into the final. In the final, they defeated Delhi Capitals to win the title, this was the franchise's maiden title across both men's and women's leagues. Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Ellyse Perry and Shreyanka Patil won the orange cap and purple cap respectively.
On 5 February 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru defeated the Delhi Capitals in a thrilling final to secure the WPL 2026 title. Chasing a target of 204, RCB hunted it down in 19.4 overs with 6 wickets in hand to clinch their second championship in three years.
Players NumberRoleNationalityName18BatterSmriti Mandhana (C)13BatterGeorgia Voll56All-rounderArundhati Reddy42All-rounderDayalan Hemalatha99All-rounderGautami Naik99All-rounderGrace Harris17All-rounderNadine de Klerk88All-rounderPooja Vastrakar90All-rounderPrema Rawat10All-rounderRadha Yadav33All-rounderSayali Satghare21All-rounderShreyanka Patil8BowlerLauren Bell44BowlerLinsey Smith55Wicket-keeperPrathyoosha Kumar36Wicket-keeperRicha Ghosh
Coaching staff PositionNameChief operating officerRajesh Menon Head coach Malolan Rangarajan Assistant coach Anya Shrubsole Assistant coach Sunetra Paranjpe Batting coach RX Muralidhar Health Athletic Therapist Navnita GautamTeam doctorHarini MuralidharanTeam managerHead PhysioSabyasachi SahooAssistant PhysioMitra Amin Source Official Website
Seasons YearLeague StandingsFinal StandingsMost RunsMost Wickets20234/5League StageSophie DevineShreyanka Patil20243/5 ChampionsEllyse PerryShreyanka Patil20254/5League StageEllyse PerryGeorgia Wareham20261/5ChampionsSmriti MandhanaNadine de KlerkTotalChampions x 2Smriti MandhanaShreyanka Patil
Source
Captaincy record Player Duration Matches Won Lost Win Percentage Best Result Smriti Mandhana 2023–present 35 18 17 51.42%Champions (2024, 2026)
Honours Women's Premier League Year Award Recipient Ref 2023 Most Sixes Sophie Devine2024 Orange Cap Ellyse Perry Purple Cap Shreyanka Patil Best Strike Rate Georgia Wareham Emerging Player of the Season Shreyanka Patil Fair Play Award Royal Challengers Bengaluru 2026Orange CapSmriti MandhanaBest Strike RateGrace Harris
Others Year Award Category Result Ref2024Indian Sports HonoursClub of the Year
Kits and sponsorship The official colours of Royal Challengers Bengaluru are red, black and gold.
Kajaria Tiles was the official title sponsor of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the inaugural WPL season in 2023. Mia by Tanishq and Dream11 served as principal partners, while Puma, Himalaya and Vega were associate partners. Zuno General Insurance was the official insurance partner for the 2023 season.
Year Kit manufacturer Front sponsor Back sponsor 2023PumaKajariaMia 2024 2025 Alliance University 2026 Kalyan Jewellers
See also Sports in Karnataka
References