'Can't wait to give our best for RCB fans' - Smriti Mandhana after auctions ahead of WPL 2025

The Women’s Premier League(WPL) 2025 mini-auction is complete and the team that will be defending its title in the upcoming season will be the Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB-W). The Women in Red & Gold won the title for the first time under the leadership of Smriti Mandhana last season, who also emerged as one of the highest run-getters for the team as well. This was the first-ever title for the RCB franchise overall, and they will now be looking forward to defending it in 2025.

RCB got some impressive picks at the mini-auction, held in Bengaluru, on Sunday, December 15 and have a strong core from their previous year's squadron. They bought four players in the auction which include the likes of Prema Rawat (INR 1.20 crore), Joshitha VJ (INR 10 lakh), Raghvi Bist (INR 10 lakh), and Jagravi Pawar (INR 10 Lakh). Though they are not big names in the cricketing world, it is great to see the franchise invest in young talent and this team was also backed by Mandhana through a statement as well.

Meanwhile, skipper Mandhana seemed extremely pleased with the players picked. The 28-year-old world-class batter gave an inspiring statement for the players as well as the fans of the franchise ahead of the third edition of the cash-rich tournament.

“I am really happy with the auction picks, we have got what we were looking for, making the team more dynamic & ready for all challenges and situations. I am thrilled to have Prema Rawat, Joshitha VJ, Raghvi Bist, and Jagravi Pawar, who have done exceptionally well in the domestic circuit -  I can’t wait to join the girls in the dressing room and give our best for the RCB fans," said Mandhana.

Also Check: Who is Prema Rawat? – All you need to know about RCB's young spin sensation

Apart from these upcoming young players RCB-W also consists of some big stars in the form of Ellyse Perry (Orange Cap in 2024), Sophie Devine, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, and Shreyanka Patil (Purple Cap in 2024) who will also play a key role in their forthcoming campaign.