Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) head coach Malolan Rangarajan admitted he had not expected the defending champions to secure opener Vrinda Dinesh at the 2027 Women's Premier League (WPL) auction held on 28 October 2026 in Kochi, describing the pick as a pleasant surprise that adds a Karnataka flavour to the franchise.

Four New Signings at the Auction

RCB entered the auction with 13 retained players and a purse of ₹1.15 crore, completing their squad with four additions. Australia's left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Jess Jonassen was picked up for ₹40 lakh, though she is currently sidelined with a neck injury that has ruled her out of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). South Africa's batting all-rounder Chloe Tryon and India batter Tejal Hasabnis were each secured for ₹30 lakh, while Vrinda Dinesh came in at her base price of ₹10 lakh. Together, the signings bolster RCB's spin bowling depth, all-round options, and Indian batting resources.

Rangarajan's Delight Over Vrinda

'I'll be honest, I didn't expect us to land Vrinda, so I'm very happy that we've been able to bring a Karnataka-born player into the squad,' Rangarajan said in a statement issued by the franchise at the conclusion of the auction. He added that Vrinda had been performing 'exceptionally well' for India A, and that the team moved swiftly once the opportunity arose. 'As soon as we saw an opportunity to bring her into the team, we made sure we took it across the line,' he said.

Chloe Tryon: Versatility and WPL Experience

Rangarajan was equally effusive about Chloe Tryon, citing her experience in franchise cricket and her batting versatility. 'She adds depth to our batting, with the ability to bat anywhere between No. 4 and No. 7, and is also very handy with her left-arm spin,' he said. One of the franchise's stated priorities was identifying players already familiar with the WPL environment, and Tryon fits that brief. 'We now have a very good mix of experienced players and a couple of youngsters who are looking to play for the country,' Rangarajan added.

Perry's Return and the Grace Harris Decision

RCB's auction strategy was shaped in part by the return of Australia's Ellyse Perry, whom Rangarajan described as 'huge' for the squad. 'There was a void in our batting without her, but we have to give a lot of credit to our girls last year, who did well to counter her absence. With her coming back, we have a very, very good player at number three,' he said. Notably, the franchise released Grace Harris — a key contributor to RCB's 2026 WPL title — partly to free up purse space. 'One big distinction with this auction is the fact that you don't have an additional purse coming through,' Rangarajan explained, adding that the absence of the usual annual purse increment shaped several release decisions. Harris was subsequently bought back by UP Warriorz at her base price of ₹30 lakh.

RCB's Full Squad for WPL 2027

RCB's 17-member squad for the 2027 WPL reads: Smriti Mandhana (captain), Georgia Voll, Nadine de Klerk, Ellyse Perry, Shreyanka Patil, Sayali Satghare, Richa Ghosh, Prathyoosha Kumar, Lauren Bell, Arundhati Reddy, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Prema Rawat, Jess Jonassen, Chloe Tryon, Tejal Hasabnis, and Vrinda Dinesh. With a blend of proven internationals and emerging Indian talent, RCB will head into the new season looking to defend their title on a stronger batting and bowling foundation.