RCB-W head coach Luke Williams on working with Smriti Mandhana and the WPL 2024 Auction

As we prepare for the Women’s Premier League 2024 Auction which will be hosted by Mumbai in less than a few hours from now, RCB-W head coach, Luke Williams, had a few things to say about the entire process. With the nucleus in the side well equipped with multiple skills, the RCB think-tank at the auction table will hope to land a flurry of important names.

Talking on the latest video of RCB Bold Diaries, Williams said, “It has been pretty hectic times for me of late. Was with the Adelaide Strikers and after we were crowned as the WBBL champions, I flew down to Mumbai. It is time for the auction and these are exciting times ahead.”

He continued, “I am excited to be part of RCB. There are five players from the Indian side and the other nine a mix and match of overseas and local talent. It is really a good nucleus of Indian players. There are also exciting overseas talents. We are looking forward to adding more to our list in the auction.”

Shifting his focus to RCB-W skipper Smriti Mandhana, Luke said, “I have had the pleasure to work with her at Southern Brave in the last couple of seasons. We’ve been in constant contact over the last couple of months. Both of us are keenly looking ahead to the auction.”

He then explained the dynamics that he is hoping to produce in his first auction, stating, “This is my first auction. I have been involved in a few player drafts. The auction is similar in some ways but also very very different. I am excited but nervous as well. We have spent a lot of time being organized. We feel that we have gone through all the different combinations and possibilities.”

Luke finished by talking about outcomes in the auction and said, “There would be countless but we have possibly narrowed down to four or five main possibilities of how we think it will work out but again auctions can be very unpredictable. We continue to throw out field ideas that might happen but we are really comfortable with our plans and looking forward to the auction.”