WPL 2026: 5 players Royal Challengers Bengaluru can target in Women’s Premier League mega auction

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have executed a strategic retention plan ahead of the WPL 2026 Mega Auction. The champions of WPL 2024 chose to retain four key players: captain Smriti Mandhana, all-rounder Ellyse Perry, wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh, and young spinner Shreyanka Patil.

This leaves them with a remaining auction purse of approximately INR 6.15 crore and importantly, one Right-to-Match (RTM) card. RCB’s focus will be on reinforcing their pace attack (having released Renuka Singh) and securing a reliable, world-class overseas spin option (having released Georgia Wareham) and a consistent top-order batter.

5 players Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) can target in WPL 2026 Mega Auction

RCB’s strategy will center on utilizing their RTM card strategically and targeting a marquee Indian pacer and high-impact overseas players to complement their retained core.

1. Renuka Singh Thakur (RTM Priority – Indian Pacer)

• Role: World-Class Indian Seam Bowler (New-Ball Specialist)
• Why Target: RCB released Renuka Singh, one of India’s premier pacers, likely as a financial move. However, her ability to swing the ball and take wickets in the powerplay is unparalleled among available Indian pacers. With only one RTM card, RCB must prioritize using it on Renuka to immediately fix the major gap in their bowling attack left by her release. She is vital for their title defense and to lead the domestic pace contingent.

2. Amelia Kerr (Marquee Overseas All-Rounder)

• Role: World-Class Leg-Spinner & Middle-Order Finisher
• Why Target: Amelia Kerr was surprisingly released by Mumbai Indians and is one of the highest-value all-rounders available. She provides an elite, world-class leg-spin option (replacing the released Georgia Wareham) and is also a destructive, high-strike-rate batter who can anchor the middle order. Acquiring a player of Kerr’s caliber would be a massive coup for RCB, instantly creating one of the most balanced squads in the league.

3. Georgia Wareham (Overseas Spin Reinforcement)

• Role: Explosive Leg-Spinner & Handy Batter
• Why Target: Wareham was a key figure in RCB’s WPL 2024 title win, often breaking key partnerships. Her release makes her a high-priority re-acquisition. If the bid for Amelia Kerr proves too expensive, or if RCB prioritizes an overseas batter in the auction, re-acquiring Wareham ensures they still secure a high-quality, proven overseas leg-spin option who is familiar with the team setup.

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4. Danni Wyatt-Hodge (Overseas Opener – Explosive Start)

• Role: Aggressive Overseas Opener
• Why Target: Wyatt-Hodge was released by RCB but remains a highly dangerous and explosive opener in T20 cricket. She is a veteran player who can partner Mandhana and provide quick starts in the powerplay, which is critical for WPL success. She is a familiar option who can be targeted if RCB opts to use their overseas slots to strengthen their batting lineup.

5. Dayalan Hemalatha (Indian Batter – Middle-Order Power)

• Role: High-Strike-Rate Indian Middle-Order Batter
• Why Target: RCB needs an aggressive, reliable Indian batter outside of Richa Ghosh. Dayalan Hemalatha, released by Gujarat Giants, is an underrated, high-impact domestic player who can strike at a good rate in the middle order and is also a useful off-spin bowler. She is a cost-effective Indian option to target, providing the necessary depth and power-hitting capability in the number four or five slot that RCB has often struggled to fill.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.