New Delhi, Nov 6 (NationPress) Malolan Rangarajan, the newly appointed head coach of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), stated that the retention of captain Smriti Mandhana, wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, seam-bowling all-rounder Ellyse Perry, and off-spin bowling all-rounder Shreyanka Patil has effectively covered numerous positions, allowing them to approach the mega auction with complete confidence.

RCB disclosed that their retention expenditure totals INR 8.85 crore for the four players, with Smriti leading at INR 3.5 crore, followed by Richa at INR 2.75 crore, Ellyse at INR 2 crore, and Shreyanka at INR 60 lakh. This leaves them with INR 6.15 crore for the upcoming auction along with one Right to Match (RTM) card.

“This provides us with a robust foundation by securing a captain and an opener, a wicketkeeper, and a strong middle-order batter, along with a top-order all-rounder who adds seam-bowling capability and an Indian off-spinner,” Rangarajan elaborated.

“With these four retentions, we have established a solid core. We've addressed several key roles, and with this clarity, we go into the auction fully aware of our needs,” Rangarajan commented on Thursday.

Smriti, who scored 434 runs during India's victorious 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup run, has recorded 646 runs from 26 innings for RCB at a strike rate of 129, including four fifties. She ranks as RCB's second-highest run scorer, trailing only Perry, and led the team to a title victory in 2024 in New Delhi.

“Smriti brings a left-handed opener's aggression that aligns with our playing style. Additionally, she's a composed leader with tactical savvy. Not to mention, she was the captain during RCB's inaugural title win,” Rangarajan stated.

In contrast, Richa has accumulated 625 runs from 24 innings at a strike rate of 151, also securing four fifties. In WPL 2025, she scored 230 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 176, ranking second among players with 100+ runs, just behind Chinelle Henry (196).

“She is arguably one of the best middle-order batters, and being a wicketkeeper enhances our versatility. Her ability to manage risks and thrive under pressure is precisely what we seek in our batting lineup, making her a strong candidate for leadership,” Rangarajan added.

Ellyse boasts the second most runs in WPL history with 972 runs over 25 innings at a strike rate of 133, including eight fifties. As RCB's leading run scorer, she has consistently surpassed 250 runs in every season and has been a crucial asset with the ball as well, taking 14 wickets.

“While I could elaborate on her on-field accomplishments, I want to emphasize the standards she sets off the field. Her continued involvement is very promising for our future,” Rangarajan noted.

“Her presence on the field brings value across three skills. Among the top run scorers over three years, she is valuable with the ball, able to bowl in any phase of the game, and her fielding is exceptional,” Rangarajan concluded.

Shreyanka, who is RCB's joint highest wicket-taker with 19 wickets, missed the 2025 season due to a shin injury but returned during this year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL), where she won the championship with Barbados Royals and has been competing for Karnataka in the domestic circuit.

“Retaining Shreyanka was a thoughtful decision, given her recent absence from play. We wanted to give her time to demonstrate her capabilities in recent tournaments,” Rangarajan explained.

“After careful evaluation and discussions among coaches and the core team, we decided to retain her because she is an outstanding cricketer, an off-spinner who offers versatility in our bowling strategy,” Rangarajan concluded.

RCB Retained Players: Smriti Mandhana (INR 3.5 crore), Richa Ghosh (INR 2.75 crore), Ellyse Perry (INR 2 crore), Shreyanka Patil (INR 60 lakh)

RCB Released Players: Renuka Singh Thakur, Sabbhineni Meghana, Nuzhat Parween, Heather Graham, Georgia Wareham, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Kim Garth, Ekta Bisht, Jagravi Pawar, Charlie Dean, Prema Rawat, Sneh Rana, VJ Joshitha, Kanika Ahuja, Kate Cross, Raghvi Bist, Asha Sobhana, Sophie Devine, and Sophie Molineux.