WPL 2024: Best starting playing XI of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) after mini auction

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) struggled to be among the victories in the 2023 Women’s Premier League (WPL) and failed to qualify for the playoffs. Their captain Smriti Mandhana looked completely out of rhythm, scoring only 149 runs in eight matches at a disappointing strike rate of 111.19.

In the 2024 WPL auction, RCB splurged INR 2.40 crore and purchased some experienced international names such as Georgia Wareham, Kate Cross, and Ekta Bisht to give strength to their squad. Following the business event, the Bangalore-based franchise has formed a 17-member squad and now, it has become essential to pick up 11 players who will make the best playing XI of the team.

Here is the best starting XI of RCB after the WPL 2024 mini-auction:

1. Smriti Mandhana (C)

Smriti Mandhana looked miserable with the bat in 2023 but she will look to lead the team from the front in the upcoming tournament. As an opener, her role will be to give impactful starts to her side. Mandhana has played a lot of international cricket for India and RCB fans will want her to utilise her experience and deliver the desired results to the team.

2. Sophie Devine

Sophie Devine did her job efficiently in the competition, racking up 266 runs in eight matches at a breathtaking strike rate of 172.72. These numbers also made her the leading run-scorer for the side in the season. The New Zealand stalwart will look to justify her role in 2024 again. 

3. Disha Kasat

Disha Kasat performed terribly in 2023 but Challengers didn’t lose faith in her and have retained her for the 2024 edition again. Playing six games, she scored only 11 runs in three innings at a poor average of 3.66. In the upcoming tournament, she will have to support her senior colleagues Mandhana and Devine while batting at the top order. 

4. Ellyse Perry

Ellyse Perry played her part superbly as a batter but the team management will want her to step up with the ball as well. The 33-year-old accumulated 253 runs in eight matches while talking about her bowling performance, the Aussie got only four wickets at an expensive economy of 8.31.

5. Georgia Wareham

Georgia Wareham is the latest addition to the team and her job will be to provide effective numbers to Challengers. In the 2023-24 WBBL, she looked extraordinary as an all-rounder. Appearing in 14 matches for Melbourne Renegades, she scored 295 runs and picked up 14 wickets. RCB will expect Wareham to continue her form for them as well in the 2024 WPL.

6. Richa Ghosh (WK)

Richa Ghosh looked decent with her bat in 2023, scoring 138 runs in seven innings of eight matches at a fine strike rate of 135.29. The young player will be expected to use her explosive batting style to the team’s advantage and play the role of match-finisher in 2024. 

7. Kanika Ahuja

Kanika Ahuja’s performance wasn’t up to the mark in the previous edition of the WPL. She played seven games in the tournament and scored only 98 runs in six innings. Against UP Warriorz (UPW), she exuded confidence with her bat, producing a scintillating knock of 46 off 30. Noting her hard-hitting skills, RCB might induct her into the team as a lower-middle-order batter to get match-finishing knocks from her. 

8. Shreyanka Patil

Shreyanka Patil ended up as the leading wicket-taker for RCB in 2023, clinching six wickets in seven matches at an economy of 9.84. In the upcoming competition, she will have to be disciplined with the ball and exhibit her bowling mettle on India’s spin-friendly pitches. 

9. Kate Cross

Kate Cross became a part of RCB in the 2024 auction, for INR 30 lakh, and her role will be to spearhead the team’s fast-bowling unit. This year, Cross looked disciplined with the ball in the 2023 Hundred (women’s competition). Donning Northern Superchargers’ jersey, she grabbed 10 wickets in 10 games at an economy of 7.45. The England veteran will look to deliver her best in the 2024 WPL.

10. Ekta Bisht

RCB have also roped in the experienced left-arm spinner Ekta Bisht in the squad. She was signed up for INR 60 lakh for the 2024 season. Along with Shreyanka Patil and Georgia Wareham, the 37-year-old can help her team dominate the opponents on India’s turning tracks. In her Women’s T20 International (WT20I) career, she has taken 53 wickets for India in 42 matches at an economy of 5.30.

11. Renuka Singh

Renuka Singh’s role will be crucial for Challengers. The right-arm fast bowler struggled to be among the wickets in 2023 but her current form will bring cheers to the faces of RCB supporters. In the WT20I series played against England, she exuded confidence with the ball. The 27-year-old will look forward to joining RCB’s camp in 2024 with her magnificent form.

Also check: Best starting playing XI of UP Warriorz