"The Support is Just Crazy": Ellyse Perry Reflects on RCB, WPL, and Her Cricketing Journey

Ellyse Perry, the leading run-scorer in the Women's Premier League (WPL) with 323 runs in seven innings, recently shared her thoughts on her cricketing journey, the evolution of the women's game, and her role at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) on the RCB Bold and Beyond podcast.

The Australian all-rounder reflected on her early years, the increased professionalism in the sport, and the electrifying experience of playing at the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium.

For Perry, the connection with Chinnaswamy runs deep. She was in the stands for the first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) match in 2008, where Brendon McCullum's explosive 158* for Kolkata Knight Riders left an unforgettable impression on her. Now, she finds herself playing at the same venue, with thousands of passionate RCB fans chanting her name.

"We went to the first IPL match where Brendon McCullum scored around 150 runs for KKR. I remember thinking that was the most insane thing ever," Perry recalled. "Now, to be on the same field with a packed stadium where we can't even communicate because it's so loud-it's incredible. All of us at RCB feel so fortunate to be playing for this team because the support is just crazy."

Longevity and Constant Learning

Perry, who made her debut for Australia at just 17, emphasized the importance of continuous learning throughout her career.

"I think I've been able to continue to learn, which has been the most motivating factor. To be still playing, the opportunity that always presents itself is to learn something new, to be challenged. And I think particularly in women's cricket, every year it just gets a little bit bigger, a little bit better."

Reflecting on her early years in the sport, she acknowledged that young players often play with a fearless mindset, unburdened by expectations.

"It's funny. I'm not sure you learn a lot in the early phases because everything's just so new. You often see young players coming in their first year, and it looks so easy for them. That's because they have no expectations, no past experiences to draw from. It's a lovely time to play because you just take everything in your stride and play with so much freedom."

The Growth of Women's Cricket

The transformation of women's cricket over the past two decades has been remarkable, and Perry has witnessed it firsthand.

"When I first started, hardly any of our matches were televised, maybe one or two a year, which were precursors to men's matches. The kind of reporting always followed the same narrative: 'Do you wish that you were paid more to play? Do you wish you had more attention?' It sort of perpetuated the same storyline about women's sport."

Now, the landscape has changed significantly.

"If you fast forward 15, 20 years to now, every match is covered, we've got 30,000 people at the stadium every night, and women have the opportunity to work in sport full-time, whether as a player, a coach, an administrator, or an executive."

A Leader at RCB

Having been with RCB since the WPL's inception, Perry has naturally stepped into a leadership role, mentoring young players and guiding the team.

"It's been amazing to see how much domestic talent is coming through. Meeting so many young players, whether at RCB or other franchises, has shown me how big this opportunity is for them," she said.

With each season, Perry sees the standard of competition rising.

"As this tournament progresses, I see more opportunities for young girls playing and coming through and how good they are. It's a bit scary! Every year I come back, there are new faces pushing the standards even higher."

As she continues to dominate the WPL, Perry remains a key figure in women's cricket, inspiring the next generation while embracing the ever-evolving landscape of the game.