WPL 2027 auction: RCB eye history as three-time champions, says coach Rangarajan
Synopsis
RCB are chasing history at the WPL 2027 auction — a third title and a first back-to-back triumph. With Ellyse Perry set to return and captain Smriti Mandhana now leading India, coach Malolan Rangarajan says the squad-building work began the moment the WPL 2026 final whistle blew in Vadodara.
Key Takeaways
RCB enter the WPL 2027 auction in Kochi on 28 October with ₹1.15 crore in their purse and five slots to fill.
Head coach Malolan Rangarajan says the franchise is targeting a historic third WPL title and the first back-to-back championship.
Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry is set to return after missing the previous season for personal reasons — a development Rangarajan called 'a huge boost'.
RCB captain Smriti Mandhana has been named India women's full-time captain; Rangarajan described it as 'a proud moment for RCB'.
Auction groundwork began immediately after RCB won WPL 2026 in Vadodara , with scouts and coaches deployed right after the final.
The WPL 2027 season is scheduled for January 2027 .
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will head into the WPL 2027 auction in Kochi on 28 October with a clear mission: plug squad gaps and become the first franchise to win the Women's Premier League title three times — and the first to defend it back-to-back. Head coach Malolan Rangarajan outlined that vision ahead of the auction, which begins at 5:30 pm IST with RCB carrying a purse of ₹1.15 crore and five slots to fill.
Rangarajan's Auction Strategy
'You look at what you did well in the league last year, you try to understand how the league has evolved over the last year and you find gaps within your team and you are constantly looking to improve,' Rangarajan said in a video posted on WPL's social media accounts. He stressed that the groundwork began immediately after RCB lifted the WPL 2026 title in Vadodara, with scouts and coaches getting to work right after the final. 'The work actually started right after the finals,' he added.
Perry's Return a Major Boost
One of the most significant developments for RCB ahead of the auction is the expected return of star Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry, who sat out the previous season for personal reasons. Rangarajan described her comeback as transformative. 'Perry is a very integral part of our team, she has contributed to RCB regardless of us winning or not. It will be a huge boost for her return to our team,' he said. Noting her all-round capabilities in batting, bowling and fielding, the coach said he did not need to elaborate on the impact she could have on the squad.
Mandhana's India Captaincy — A Source of Pride
RCB captain Smriti Mandhana recently took over as India women's full-time captain, a development Rangarajan warmly acknowledged. 'First of all, very well deserved for Smriti. I think she has been a very, very valuable servant to Indian cricket, and she really deserves it. It's a proud moment for RCB, absolutely, that we have one of our own leading the country,' he said. He was careful to separate the two roles, emphasising that leading the country remains the primary responsibility. 'As RCB, we want to produce as many players who go on to play for the country and we are very proud that one of us is actually a captain of the nation,' Rangarajan concluded.
The Road Ahead
RCB's dual IPL and WPL franchise structure means extensive behind-the-scenes planning is a constant, according to Rangarajan. With the WPL 2027 season scheduled to begin in January 2027, the franchise's auction decisions on 28 October will set the tone for their title-defence campaign. A successful retention of the championship would rewrite the tournament's record books and cement RCB's place as the dominant force in women's franchise cricket in India.
Point of View
Making this campaign structurally different from any previous one. Perry's return resolves a significant all-round deficit, but the real test is whether the ₹1.15 crore purse can secure depth beyond the headline names. Mandhana's dual role — India captain and WPL franchise leader — adds load-management complexity that could affect both the national team and RCB during a congested calendar. The franchise's claim that 'work started right after the finals' is exactly the kind of long-cycle preparation that separates title contenders from one-season wonders in franchise cricket.
NationPress
28 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the WPL 2027 auction and where is it being held?
The WPL 2027 auction is taking place in Kochi on 28 October, starting at 5:30 pm IST. RCB head coach Malolan Rangarajan confirmed the timing ahead of the event.
How much money does RCB have for the WPL 2027 auction?
RCB enter the WPL 2027 auction with a purse of ₹1.15 crore and five squad slots to fill. The franchise plans to use the budget to address specific gaps identified after their WPL 2026 title win.
Why is Ellyse Perry's return significant for RCB at WPL 2027?
Ellyse Perry, the star Australian all-rounder, missed the previous WPL season for personal reasons. Her return strengthens RCB across all three departments — batting, bowling and fielding — and coach Rangarajan called it 'a huge boost' for the team.
What historic achievement is RCB targeting in WPL 2027?
RCB are aiming to become the first franchise to win the Women's Premier League title three times, and the first to win it in back-to-back seasons. They won WPL 2026 in Vadodara.
What is Smriti Mandhana's role at RCB and in Indian cricket?
Smriti Mandhana captains RCB in the WPL and has recently been named India women's full-time captain. Coach Rangarajan called the national appointment 'very well deserved' and 'a proud moment for RCB', while noting that leading the country remains her primary responsibility.
