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

Where they finished in WPL 2025: Fourth, after being hit hard by a spate of injuries and/or pullouts. The 2024 winners began the third edition with a record chase but lost the plot in the middle with five successive losses, including all four games at home, to miss out on a top-three finish.

Mega-auction overhaul: With a bulk of their purse spent on retaining the batting core, RCB's attempt to overhaul their bowling attack was evident when they chased a bunch of allrounders, mostly capped. At one point they nearly emptied their remaining purse on Shikha Pandey, but settled for Pooja Vastrakar and Arundhati Reddy in return, in the pace department, and Radha Yadav in the spin. They tried adding back T20 World Cup winning captain Sophie Devine and ace spinner Asha Sobhana but failed. Instead, they brought back Nadine de Klerk, fresh off a World Cup high in India, and the Australian duo of Grace Harris and Georgia Voll. They RTM'ed leggie Prema Rawat, and have a fit-again Shreyanka Patil [retained] lending familiarity to the unit. England's quick Lauren Bell and left-arm spinner Linsey Smith come on board, but could be competing for the last overseas spot depending on the conditions on offer.

Newsmaker(s): Despite the retention at INR 2 crore, RCB will take the field without their leading run-getter Ellyse Perry, who had informed the franchise of her decision to withdraw prior to the auction itself. RCB haven't sought an overseas replacement, instead roping in pacer Sayali Satghare who was with the Giants last-two editions and has gone on to play three ODIs for India since. The Perry void may not be easy to fill in the batting department though, with their lack of an experienced domestic batter in the top-order threatening to hurt combinations.

Watch out for:The return of Pooja Vastrakar and Shreyanka Patil. The allrounders haven't played a lot of cricket since returning home injured from the T20 World Cup 2024 in the UAE. Patil had an unfortunate run-in with injuries one after the other, keeping her on the sidelines for nearly a year before her comeback at the WCPL late last year. Vastrakar, on the other hand, underwent a shoulder surgery and an extended spell at the CoE before being assured of attaining the fitness clearance that prompted RCB to take the punt on her at the auction despite negligible game-time in the last 14 months.

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 won't be playing in front of their home crowd this edition, but that hasn't prevented them from enjoying a great crowd support previously. They have been dealt a tough hand though with back-to-back games on January 16 and 17 followed by a travel day on the 18th and then also the opening game of the Vadodara leg that kicks off 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