WPL 2026: Can RCB reignite with no Ellyse Perry in sight?

RCB’s WPL 2024 triumph felt like long‑overdue healing for a fanbase scarred by years of IPL heartbreak. However, they couldn't quite carry that momentum into the 2025 season, losing three of their eight games and missing out on the playoffs.

The 2026 season brings a new set of challenges for RCB as they aim for consistency in a format built on chaos.

Strengths

Finesse at the finish

RCB arguably have the most fearsome finishing prowess of any other team this season. Wicketkeeper batter Richa Ghosh, who is expected to bat at number five, has a T20I career strike rate of 144.17 and strikes at 150.96 in the WPL. Her international experience of finishing games for India in the 50 and 20-over formats is a real asset for RCB.

Nadine de Klerk's 54-ball 84* against India in the group stage of the ODI World Cup 2025 is still fresh in the minds of Indian fans. De Klerk has recalibrated her power-hitting and has become one of the most feared ball-strikers in the game. Add Pooja Vastrakar to the list, and RCB have a pack of finishers who can snatch the game from the opposition in the blink of an eye.

A bowling unit rich in experience

RCB have a multifaceted and well-oiled bowling attack. Radha Yadav and Linsey Smith bring the slow left-arm orthodox angle, whereas Shreyanka Patil adds the right-arm variation. Vastrakar, Lauren Bell, and Arundhati Reddy comprise the pace battery, and Smriti Mandhana can also avail de Klerk as a seam-bowling option if needed.

Weaknesses

The Perry-sized hole

The withdrawal of Ellyse Perry has created a massive hole and can dent their balance to a major extent. With 972 runs in 25 WPL games, Perry is the leading run-getter for the franchise and has claimed 14 wickets, several of which came when the game was sitting on a knife-edge.

Beyond her all‑round brilliance, Perry was a sounding board for Mandhana, and her absence leaves the skipper without a vital source of insight.

Lack of a trusted middle‑order anchor 

While anchors are losing relevance in the men's circuit, they remain essential to the women's game, and RCB have pinned a lot of their hopes on Gautami Naik. Naik, 27, has earned her WPL contract on the back of her grind in the domestic circuit but has no experience of playing at an elite level.

She'll be batting around enforcers like Grace Harris and Richa Ghosh, among others; therefore, she needs to play her role to perfection.

Opportunities

RCB's triumphant season showcased that they are a champion side, but they looked out of sorts in the previous season, only managing three wins out of their eight games. Therefore, for Mandhana’s side, the real test lies in proving that their rise wasn’t merely a one‑season spark.

On the other hand, Mandhana is the designated vice-captain to Harmanpreet Kaur and is poised to take the reins once the latter steps down. Therefore, a trophy-winning season will only solidify her credentials as a worthy successor to Harmanpreet.

Threats

RCB’s fanbase is arguably the strongest in the WPL, but the passion that lifts them can also weigh heavily when results begin to spiral. The noise around the team can amplify every setback, turning minor dips in form into full‑blown scrutiny.