RCB WPL 2026 Retention
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the 2024 WPL champions, have confirmed their player retentions ahead of the WPL 2026 mega auction, backing key contributors from their title-winning squad.
Retained Players
- Smriti Mandhana – captain and cornerstone of RCB’s batting, retained for ₹3.50 crore. Mandhana was also India's highest run-scorer in the 2025 ICC Women's ODI World Cup.
- Ellyse Perry – veteran Australian all-rounder retained for ₹2 crore.
- Richa Ghosh – wicketkeeper-batter retained for ₹2.75 crore.
- Shreyanka Patil – Indian spinner retained for ₹60 lakh; she was the top wicket-taker for RCB in WPL 2024 with 13 wickets in 8 matches and a crucial match-winner.
Financial Overview
The franchise spent ₹8.85 crore on retentions and has ₹6.15 crore remaining for the WPL 2026 mega auction. RCB also holds one Right to Match (RTM) card to use during the auction.
Released Players
To refresh the squad for the new cycle, several notable players were released:
- Sabbhineni Meghana
- Renuka Singh
- Sneh Rana
- Kanika Ahuja
- Asha Sobhana
- Ekta Bisht
"Mandhana, who also finished as India's highest run-scorer in the 2025 ICC Women's ODI World Cup, remains RCB's most expensive player, retained for ₹3.50 crore."
RCB’s strategy focuses on maintaining a strong core while rebuilding key positions for sustained success.
Author's summary: RCB retained four pivotal players, including captain Mandhana, spending ₹8.85 crore and entering the 2026 auction with ₹6.15 crore and one RTM card as they revamp their squad.