After an underwhelming debut season in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) scripted a remarkable turnaround in 2024, claiming their first-ever WPL title. Under Smriti Mandhana’s leadership, they defeated Delhi Capitals in the final, ending the franchise’s long wait for silverware across both men’s and women’s teams.
As RCB gears up for WPL 2025, they carry the weight of expectations but also face new challenges, including injuries and key-player withdrawals. Here’s a comprehensive SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis of their squad ahead of the new season.
Strengths
Strong Core of Proven Match-Winners
RCB has retained most of the key players who powered them to the title last season. Ellyse Perry was their standout performer, finishing as the top run-scorer of WPL 2024 with 347 runs at an average of 69.40 and a strike rate of 125.72. She played a match-winning 66 off 50 balls in the Eliminator against Mumbai Indians and was a vital cog in guiding RCB to the final.
Perry’s influence wasn’t limited to the bat—she also produced the best bowling figures in WPL history with 6/15 against MI. RCB’s spin attack, led by Shreyanka Patil (13 wickets) and Asha Sobhana (12 wickets), was equally instrumental in their success.
With Georgia Wareham’s all-round abilities and Richa Ghosh’s power-hitting in the middle-order, RCB boasts a well-balanced squad capable of competing at the highest level.
Bolstered Pace Attack
The late withdrawals of Sophie Devine and Kate Cross were setbacks, but RCB moved quickly to bring in quality replacements. Kim Garth is an excellent new-ball bowler, having recently taken 9 wickets in 7 games in the 2025 Women’s Ashes. She also holds the record for a five-wicket haul (5/36) in WPL history while playing for Gujarat Giants.
Heather Graham, another replacement, is an effective all-rounder, having picked up 9 wickets at an economy of 4.25 and scored 217 runs at a strike rate of 88.93 in the ongoing Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL). Her ability to contribute in multiple departments strengthens RCB’s squad depth.
Weaknesses
Injury Concerns Surrounding Key Players
RCB’s title defence could be significantly impacted by injuries to key players:
- Perry suffered a hip injury during the pink-ball Test at the MCG on January 30, 2025. Her recovery timeline remains unclear, and if she misses part of WPL 2025, RCB will lose their most dependable all-rounder.
- Asha Sobhana (knee injury) and Shreyanka Patil (finger injury) have both been out of action since the 2024 T20 World Cup. If they struggle with form or fitness, RCB’s spin attack might lose its edge.
- Sophie Molineux, who was set to be a key spin-bowling all-rounder, is already ruled out due to a long-term knee injury.
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Over-reliance on a Few Batters
While Perry was the backbone of RCB’s batting last season, the rest of the lineup had moments of inconsistency. Smriti Mandhana scored 300 runs but at a strike rate of just 125, which was lower than ideal for an opening batter. Richa, despite her finishing ability, averaged just 20.50, showing room for improvement.
If Perry remains unavailable or out of form, RCB could struggle to post or chase big totals, making them heavily dependent on Mandhana and Wareham to step up.
Opportunities
Raghvi Bist’s Breakthrough Potential
RCB’s newest domestic recruit, Raghvi Bist, is a young all-rounder who could solve their middle-order concerns. The 20-year-old made her India debut in December 2024 and impressed in domestic cricket.
She was a standout performer in the Senior Women’s T20 Challenger Trophy, scoring 162 runs at an average of 40.50 and a strike rate of 120.89. Her aggressive approach was evident when she smashed 72 runs off 35 balls for Uttarakhand and followed it up with 71 off 51 in the Challenger Trophy final.
If given the right opportunities, she could provide stability and firepower to RCB’s batting lineup.
Georgia Wareham’s Growing Batting Influence
Wareham was a dependable spinner last season, picking up 7 wickets at an economy of 8.23, but her batting has shown marked improvement recently. With Molineux ruled out, RCB might give her a more prominent role as a middle-order batter who can anchor innings or accelerate when needed.
If Wareham steps up with the bat, she could be a key factor in offsetting Perry’s potential absence.
Threats
Fitness and Form of Spin Attack
RCB’s spin duo of Shreyanka and Asha were the top two wicket-takers in WPL 2024. However, both are returning from injuries and haven’t played competitive cricket in months.
With Sophie Molineux ruled out, the lack of in-form spinners could hurt RCB, especially on turning tracks. If Shreyanka and Sobhana aren’t at their best, the franchise may have to rely more on part-time options, which could be risky.
Adapting to New Overseas Players
The withdrawal of Sophie Devine, Kate Cross, and Sophie Molineux has forced RCB to make late additions. While Kim Garth and Heather Graham are quality players, they weren’t part of the team’s pre-season planning and will need time to adjust to the squad’s dynamics.
If they take too long to settle in, RCB’s balance could be disrupted, especially in crunch situations.
Updated squad
Smriti Mandhana (c), Sabbineni Meghana, Richa Ghosh (wk), Ellyse Perry, Georgia Wareham, Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, Heather Graham, Renuka Singh, Charlie Dean, Ekta Bisht, Kim Garth, Kanika Ahuja, Danni Wyatt, Prema Rawat, Joshitha VJ, Raghvi Bist, Jagravi Pawar.
Auction recruitments: Prema Rawat (Rs. 1.20 Crore), Joshitha VJ (Rs. 10 Lakh), Raghvi Bist (Rs. 10 Lakh), Jagravi Pawar (Rs. 10 Lakh)
Predicted Playing XI
Smriti Mandhana (c), Danni Wyatt, Raghvi Bist, Ellyse Perry/Heather Graham, Kanika Ahuja, Richa Ghosh(wk), Georgia Wareham, Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, Renuka Singh, Kim Garth
Also Read: Can Gujarat Giants Finally Turn Their WPL Fortunes Around?