WPL 2026: Captain Smriti Mandhana shares her initial thoughts on RCB’s new head coach appointment

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Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Women’s team has appointed Malolan Rangarajan as their new head coach for the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) cycle. Rangarajan replaces Luke Williams, who has been in charge since 2024 but will now focus on his role as the head coach of Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League. With the new season set to begin in early January, this change in leadership marks a new phase for RCB. Rangarajan, who has been part of the RCB setup for six years, will now lead the team to defend their WPL 2024 title.

Rangarajan has a long-standing connection with RCB, having been involved with the franchise since the inception of the Women’s Premier League. Over the last two seasons, he served as the assistant coach, contributing to the team’s title-winning success in 2024 and their fourth-place finish in the most recent cycle. His deep understanding of RCB’s philosophy and team dynamics makes him a natural choice to step up as head coach. Rangarajan has worked under several experienced figures, including Ben Sawyer and Mike Hesson, and has also served as the lead scout for the men’s team. His coaching approach is built on positive reinforcement, tactical flexibility, and an ability to connect with players on a personal level.

RCB’s captain, Smriti Mandhana, expressed confidence in Rangarajan’s leadership abilities, noting their strong rapport and shared vision. “I’ve enjoyed our cricketing discussions over the years, and I believe Malolan will bring a fresh perspective to the team. He has had a positive impact on the squad in the past, and I look forward to working with him to lead RCB to further success in the next WPL season,” Mandhana said. Rangarajan’s extensive experience with the team, combined with his tactical knowledge, will be essential as RCB looks to solidify their position as one of the top teams in WPL 2026.

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Rangarajan’s first major task will be to finalize RCB’s retention list ahead of the November 6 deadline. The franchise is widely expected to retain Mandhana as their captain, with discussions also ongoing regarding other key players like Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh, Sophie Molineux and Shreyanka Patil.

These players have been instrumental in RCB’s journey so far, and their retention will be crucial to maintaining a core group that can deliver consistent results. The WPL 2026 season promises to be a highly competitive one, and RCB’s success will depend on the strategic use of their retained players and the selections they make during the mega auction in November.

Rangarajan will also have the task of maintaining continuity within the support staff. R. Muralidhar, who has been with the franchise for a long time, will continue in his role as batting coach, while Navnita Gautam is expected to retain her position as head physio. These familiar faces will provide much-needed stability, allowing Rangarajan to focus on building a tactical strategy that plays to the strengths of his squad. With his leadership, the team will look to build on the success of their 2024 title victory and continue to make strides in the league.

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