WPL 2023: Best starting XI of Royal Challengers Bangalore after auction

The first-ever auction of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) was conducted in Mumbai on February 13, with the franchises picking the best players to build their teams for the inaugural season. After buying their favourites players at the auction, now the franchises will look forward to getting impactful results from them in the league next month. 

At the much-awaited event, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) grabbed eyeballs as they purchased the most expensive player of the tournament. Along with that, the franchise also got some players who are big names in the sport, and players who have been in top form. Now, banking on their potential, the Challengers will look to have a successful campaign in the maiden season and bring smiles to the faces of their supporters.

Talking more about it, here is the best playing XI of RCB after the Player Auction

1. Smriti Mandhana

In the maiden WPL auction, Smriti Mandhana became the most expensive player as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) signed her for INR 3.4 crore. She was the player to initiate the auction as her name was the first one that was called up. Having registered herself in the top bracket of INR 50 lakh, she triggered an intense bidding war between RCB and Mumbai Indians (MI).

The dynamic India opener is known for her fearless batting and in her 10 years of T20I career, she has played cricket brilliantly for India. The Southpaw has hit 2,661 runs for the nation with 20 half-centuries in 113 games at a strike rate of 123.19. After becoming the most expensive player at the event in Mumbai, she will now carry the responsibility of justifying her amount.

In the upcoming inaugural WPL season, Mandhana’s role will be to vitalise the Challengers’ batting as an opener. The 26-year-old will get the support of some of the most experienced players such as Sophie Devine, Ellyse Perry, and Heather Knight, who will strengthen RCB's batting unit.