RCB Retain 13 Players, Release Four Ahead of WPL 2027 Season — Full List
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have retained 13 players — including Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, and Georgia Voll — while releasing four ahead of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2027 season.
By Current Affairs Viva Desk | Updated: September 28, 2026 | Reading Time: ~4 minutes
RCB team with the WPL 2026 trophy. (Photo: @RCBTweets X)
Introduction
Bengaluru: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have retained 13 players and released four players as they begin preparations for the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2027 season.
RCB head into the new campaign on the back of a memorable 2026 season, having clinched the WPL championship after defeating Delhi Capitals by six wickets in the final at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on February 5, 2026.
With the core of their title-winning squad retained, RCB will now look to strengthen their team further ahead of the upcoming season.
Recap: How RCB Won WPL 2026
In the final, RCB successfully chased down a challenging target of 204 runs, completing the highest successful run chase in a WPL final.
Smriti Mandhana led the charge with a sensational 87 off 41 balls, while Georgia Voll provided excellent support with a quickfire 79, guiding RCB to a memorable six-wicket victory.
The win cemented RCB's status as one of the most formidable sides in the Women's Premier League and set the stage for a strong title defense in WPL 2027.
WPL 2027: RCB Retained Players — Full List
RCB have retained the following 13 players for the WPL 2027 season:
- Arundhati Reddy
- Lauren Bell
- Prathyoosha Kumar
- Richa Ghosh
- Smriti Mandhana (Captain)
- Ellyse Perry
- Nadine de Klerk
- Prema Rawat
- Sayali Satghare
- Georgia Voll
- Pooja Vastrakar
- Radha Yadav
- Shreyanka Patil
WPL 2027: RCB Released Players — Full List
RCB have released the following four players ahead of the WPL 2027 auction:
- Grace Harris*
- Linsey Smith*
- Gautami Naik
- Dayalan Hemalatha
* Overseas players
Key Stars Retained by RCB
Smriti Mandhana — The Captain and Backbone
Smriti Mandhana remains the face of RCB's batting lineup. Her explosive 87 off 41 balls in the WPL 2026 final was one of the most memorable innings in the tournament's history. As captain, she continues to lead the side with authority.
Ellyse Perry — The All-Round Legend
Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry continues to be a match-winner for RCB in both batting and bowling departments. Her experience and leadership have been crucial to RCB's success.
Georgia Voll — The Emerging Star
Young Australian batter Georgia Voll made a massive impact in the WPL 2026 final with a 79-run innings. Her retention signals RCB's confidence in her long-term potential.
Richa Ghosh — The Wicket-Keeper Batter
Richa Ghosh remains one of India's most exciting young wicketkeeper-batters. Her explosive lower-order hitting and sharp glovework make her an invaluable asset.
Pooja Vastrakar and Radha Yadav — The Indian Core
India internationals Pooja Vastrakar and Radha Yadav bring depth to RCB's bowling attack and remain central to their title defense plans.
What's Next for RCB Ahead of WPL 2027?
With the retention and release lists confirmed, RCB will now shift focus to the WPL 2027 auction, where they will look to fill the gaps left by the released players — particularly in the overseas department after releasing Grace Harris and Linsey Smith.
Key priorities for RCB in the auction will likely include:
- Overseas bowling options — to replace Linsey Smith's left-arm spin
- Middle-order batting depth — to compensate for Grace Harris's explosive hitting
- Backup wicketkeeping — to support Richa Ghosh
- Indian pace bowling depth — to partner Lauren Bell and Arundhati Reddy
WPL 2027: What Other Teams Have Done
Retention announcements are coming in from other WPL franchises as well:
- Delhi Capitals — Retained 13, released 6 ahead of the WPL 2027 auction
- Mumbai Indians — Announced their retained players ahead of WPL 2027 season
More teams are expected to announce their retention lists in the coming days, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting WPL 2027 season.
Conclusion
RCB's decision to retain the core of their title-winning squad sends a clear message: they believe continuity is key to defending their WPL crown. With Smriti Mandhana leading the side, backed by international stars like Ellyse Perry, Georgia Voll, and Richa Ghosh, RCB look well-placed to mount a strong title defense in WPL 2027.
The release of Grace Harris, Linsey Smith, Gautami Naik, and Dayalan Hemalatha opens up opportunities for RCB to strengthen their squad in the auction. All eyes will now be on how RCB use their purse to build a squad capable of winning back-to-back WPL titles.
(With inputs from ANI)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How many players have RCB retained for WPL 2027?
RCB have retained 13 players for the WPL 2027 season, including Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Georgia Voll, Richa Ghosh, and Pooja Vastrakar.
Q2. Which four players have RCB released ahead of WPL 2027?
RCB have released Grace Harris, Linsey Smith, Gautami Naik, and Dayalan Hemalatha ahead of the WPL 2027 auction.
Q3. Is Smriti Mandhana part of RCB's WPL 2027 squad?
Yes, Smriti Mandhana has been retained by RCB and will continue to lead the team in WPL 2027.
Q4. Did RCB win WPL 2026?
Yes, RCB won the WPL 2026 title by defeating Delhi Capitals by six wickets in the final at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, on February 5, 2026.
Q5. What is RCB's biggest challenge ahead of WPL 2027?
RCB's biggest challenge will be finding suitable replacements for released overseas players Grace Harris and Linsey Smith, while also strengthening their middle-order batting and pace bowling depth.
Q6. When will the WPL 2027 auction take place?
The WPL 2027 auction date has not been officially announced yet, but it is expected to be held in the coming months before the new season begins.
Sports, Cricket, WPL 2027, RCB, Women's Premier League, Smriti Mandhana, Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry, Cricket News, Sports News
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