Published By: Sayan Guha

On This Day (Feb. 13): RCB Went All in for THESE Stars in the WPL 2023 Auction!

A franchise hunting for a trophy since its inception, RCB set its sights on women's cricket with bold moves at the auction table

For the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), a franchise aiming for success in the men’s IPL, the Women’s Premier League (WPL) marked a fresh start. RCB, a team with star players but no titles, sought to change the narrative.

They made a bold move at the WPL auction in Mumbai on 13 February 2023 when they secured Smriti Mandhana with the highest bid of the evening, INR 3.4 crore. Mandhana embodied RCB’s bold, courageous, and victorious vision.

Going Big: Perry, Ghosh, and Devine join the camp

RCB was not yet finished. They increased their focus on experience and explosive skills after acquiring Mandhana. Their next move? The reliable Ellyse Perry. With a career filled with trophies and unparalleled adaptability, the Australian all-rounder was acquired for INR 1.7 crore. Sophie Devine, another seasoned match-winner, joined her for a price of INR 50 lakh.

RCB's aggressive bidding strategy was a testament to their commitment to assembling a winning team. Their acquisition of Richa Ghosh, a youthful and bold batter-wicketkeeper, for INR 1.9 crore, was another bold move.

Ghosh, a sensational batter who had just won India’s U-19 Women’s World Cup, was renowned for her ability to finish a match quickly. With these three explosive additions, RCB had assembled a team brimming with talent.

WPL’s big names and big bucks

While RCB made early waves, other franchises did not hold back either. After losing out on Mandhana, Mumbai Indians signed India’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, for INR 1.8 crore, along with all-rounders Pooja Vastrakar and Nat Sciver-Brunt. Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner, who joined the Gujarat Giants, was the biggest overseas buy of the evening.

Meanwhile, UP Warriorz focused on local talent, signing Deepti Sharma for INR 2.6 crore, while Delhi Capitals bolstered their roster with India’s young stars Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma.

The auction was not only about stars. Some popular players, including Hayley Matthews, Megan Schutt, and Jess Jonassen, went unsold early. However, the RCB eventually swooped in for Schutt for a base price of INR 40 lakh.

The road to WPL 2023

With such a strong squad, RCB had high expectations in the inaugural WPL season. Mandhana was named captain and tasked with leading the team to its first title. However, the tournament did not unfold as planned.

Despite their ambitious recruitment, RCB struggled to find momentum, winning only two out of eight matches and finishing fourth in the points table. This was a disappointing outcome for a franchise that had invested heavily at the auction.

A year later, RCB’s moment arrives

After a season of squandered opportunities in 2023, RCB rose to the challenge in 2024, clinching the WPL title. With a new strategy and a more robust team, they triumphed over the Delhi Capitals in the final, achieving an incredible comeback.

For a team often referred to as chokers in the IPL, RCB’s success in WPL 2024 symbolised redemption. This journey began on 13 February 2023, with a bold auction night in which they invested in Mandhana, Perry, and Ghosh, laying the foundation for their success.