Royal Challengers Bengaluru, formerlyRoyal Challengers Bangalore, commonly known asRCB, is an Indian professional franchise cricket team based inBengaluru,Karnataka that competes in theWomen's Premier League. It is owned by United Spirits, which also owns themen's team. The team is coached byMalolan Rangarajan and captained bySmriti Mandhana. RCB won the2024 season, bringing the first trophy for the franchise.[1] It is also the most popular and followed cricket franchise onInstagram with more than 21 million followers.[2]
In October 2022, theBCCI announced its intentions to hold a five-team women's franchise cricket tournament in March 2023.[3] The tournament was named theWomen's Premier League in January 2023, with investors buying the rights to franchises through a closed bidding process during the same month.[4]Diageo, the owners ofRoyal Challengers Bangalore in theIndian Premier League, bought the rights to one of the franchises.[4]
In February 2023,Ben Sawyer was announced as head coach of the side.[5] The inaugural player auction for the WPL was held on 13 February 2023,Royal Challengers Bangalore signing 18 players for their squad.[6] On 18 February 2023,Smriti Mandhana was announced as the team's captain. The side finished fourth in the group stage at theinaugural tournament.[7]
In September 2023,Luke Williams was announced as the head coach for the2024 season.[8] The side won three of their five Bangalore-leg matches, and then they went on to win one match out of their next three matches. Ending the league stage with four wins, the side qualified for the playoffs.
In theeliminator, the team defeated the defending champions —Mumbai Indians, to advance into the final. In the final, they defeatedDelhi Capitals to win the title, this was the franchise's maiden title across both men's and women's leagues. Royal Challengers Bangalore'sEllyse Perry andShreyanka Patil won the orange cap and purple cap respectively.
Kajaria Tiles was the official Title Sponsor for RCB WPL 2023.[11] Mia by Tanishq &Dream11 being principal partners. Apart from these,Puma, Himalaya, & Vega being the associate partners. Zuno General Insurance were their official partners for WPL 2023.[12][13]
