Chasers once more, RCB reload with a Perry-shaped hole

Where they finished in WPL 2025: Fourth, after being hit hard by injuries and pullouts. The 2024 winners started the third edition with a record chase but lost five successive games, including all four at home, to miss the playoffs.

Mega-auction overhaul: RCB spent heavily to retain their batting core and overhaul their bowling. They chased capped allrounders, securing Pooja Vastrakar and Arundhati Reddy for pace, and Radha Yadav for spin. They failed to re-sign Sophie Devine and Asha Sobhana but brought back Nadine de Klerk and added Australians Grace Harris and Georgia Voll. They used the Right-to-Match card for leggie Prema Rawat and have a fit-again Shreyanka Patil. New overseas signings Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith may compete for the final overseas spot.

Newsmaker(s): Despite her retention, RCB will be without Ellyse Perry, who withdrew before the auction. The franchise did not seek an overseas replacement, instead signing pacer Sayali Satghare. Perry's absence creates a significant batting void, compounded by a lack of experienced domestic batters in the top order.

Watch out for: The return of Pooja Vastrakar and Shreyanka Patil. Both allrounders have had limited game time since injuries at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Patil was sidelined for nearly a year before a late 2024 comeback. Vastrakar underwent shoulder surgery and an extended rehab, with RCB taking a punt on her at auction despite minimal recent play.

Probable XI: Smriti Mandhana (C), Georgia Voll, Gautami Naik, Grace Harris, Richa Ghosh (wk), Nadine de Klerk, Pooja Vastrakar, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav, Prema Rawat/Arundhati Reddy, Lauren Bell

Bench: D Hemalatha, Linsey Smith, Sayali Satghare, Prathyoosha K

Schedule: RCB will not play at home this edition. They face a tough schedule with back-to-back games on January 16 and 17, followed by travel on the 18th and an opening game in Vadodara on January 19.

• Jan 9: vs MI at 7:30 PM in Navi Mumbai
• Jan 12: vs UPW at 7:30 PM in Navi Mumbai
• Jan 16: vs GG at 7:30 PM in Navi Mumbai
• Jan 17: vs DC at 7:30 PM in Navi Mumbai
• Jan 19: vs GG at 7:30 PM in Vadodara
• Jan 24: vs DC at 7:30 PM in Vadodara
• Jan 26: vs MI at 7:30 PM in Vadodara
• Jan 29: vs UPW at 7:30 PM in Vadodara