WPL 2023: RCB Schedule, Squad, Best Possible Playing XI, Key Players for Women's Premier League

The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is part of the inaugural Women's Premier League - WPL 2023, which is set to feature four other teams.

WPL is a full-fledged women's franchise Twenty20 cricket league in India that succeeds and replaces the Women's T20 challenge, which was played between 2018-2022.

WPL 2023, which begins on March 4, will see 22 matches, including the eliminator and final, played over the course of 23 days across two venues in Mumbai.

RCB, who will play majority of their matches in Brabourne Stadium, will play eight matches in the league phase like the other four teams in WPL.

RCB women's team, which will be led by star India batter Smriti Mandhana, will open their campaign in the league stage against Delhi Capitals at the Brabourne Stadium - CCI in Mumbai on Sunday (March 5).

The RCB WPL team will continue their league stage campaign a day later against Mumbai Indians on Monday (March 6) at the same venue, where they will also face two newcomers to Indian T20 league in Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz.

The Bangalore-based side will then play three of their four reverse fixtures at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai, while one of their games will once again be played at the CCI.

RCB, who made Mandhana the most expensive player, have also roped in her Team India teammates Richa Ghosh and Renuka Thakur in the first ever WPL Auction.

RCB has also bought elite overseas all-rounders like Ellyse Perry of Australia, New Zealand's Sophie Devine and England's Heather Knight.

Apart from that, the Royal Challengers has also brought in Australian duo Megan Schutt and Erin Burns as well as South Africa all-rounder Dane van Niekerk to complete their six overseas players quota. The RCB-W team have also bought some Indian uncapped players.

With the pool of players available and all-rounders stacked, how will RCB Women's team line up if all the players are fit and available? Here is a look at the RCB WPL 2023 Schedule, Squad, Best Possible Playing XI and key players for first-ever Women's Premier League:

RCB WPL 2023 Players List

RCB Women Key Players

Smriti Mandhan: The Indian opener will be key to getting the side off to good starts, scoring freely inside the powerplay and utilise her expertise of playing in home conditions especially with the top order likely to feature overseas stars.

Ellyse Perry: The star Australia all-rounder will have to pull off double duties with the relatively lesser known bowling attack apart from Megan Schutt and Renuka Singh. She will also need to play the role of steadying the ship and taking the innings deep in case Mandhana falls early.

Richa Ghosh: The Indian wicketkeeper-batter has been in great form, finishing off innings and striking at higher rate. She will need to be on top of her game behind the stumps as well as play the role of a finisher of the side with the bat.

RCB-W 2023 Best Possible XI

Smrithi Mandhana (captain), Sophie Devine, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Dane van Niekerk, Kanika Ahuja, Poonam Khemnar, Sahana Pawar, Renuka Singh, Megan Schutt, Komal Zanzad.

RCB WPL 2023 Schedule