We're very happy - Malolan Rangarajan delighted with RCB's signings at the WPL 2026 Mega Auction

The WPL 2026 Mega Auction brought with it a lot of excitement as the five teams were involved in a heated battle of the paddles to sign some of the best talent on offer. RCB landed a host of big names who will all add an exciting variety to the squad, a list of players headlined by the franchise's costliest signing of the day in Lauren Bell (INR 90L).

In a chat with Mayanti Langer, RCB’s Head Coach, Malolan Rangarajan, explained how the think-tank was looking to mirror the balance of the team from the 2024-title winning squad and shed some light on signing two England bowlers, Bell and Linsey Smith.

Malo said, “We’re very happy to have both Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith in our team. Both bring us the options both at the start of the game in power play and death. So, Linsey Smith, we have been tracking very well. And if you see RCB the way we've set up, we won the championship in 24 having a particular combination. So we've looked to get those players back.”

He further added, “Obviously Asha is one of the players we missed out on and we tried as best as we could but I think we've replaced her with a very exciting young leg spinner in Prema who was with us last year and with Radha, she's somebody who obviously comes with the World Cup win but if you see her on the field she's a live wire. She gives us a little bit of left arm spin, a little bit of pace.”

Malo also shed some light on the batting unit stating, “So when you have batters like Smriti and Richa, you are looking forward to complementing them. With Nadine and Georgia Voll, Voll is again someone who is trending in the right direction with the kind of play that we have in our minds.”

He further said, “RCB will suit her very well. Add the fact that she gives us an over of off-spin if required. So we are giving us options throughout. Georgia is someone who gives us an over or two, we have Radha Yadav who gives us an over or two. And then we have picked Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith as the premium front line bowlers. We have Prema also. So as we said, the bowling is something we are very keen on, trying to get the best available options and we’re very happy.”