Mumbai, Dec 6 (LatestNewsX) – After hitting the targets set for the WPL Mega Auction, former champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru are entering the 2026 season with a renewed sense of confidence. Head coach Malolan Rangarajan said that the team’s aim had been to construct the strongest possible bowling attack while keeping the batting potent, and that assembling several all‑rounders proved the key to success.
During a JioHotstar interview, Rangarajan and assistant coach Anya Shrubsole discussed the squad’s strategy and the value of new signings such as Nadine de Klerk, Grace Harris, Pooja Vastrakar and Arundhati Reddy. They stressed that the real test will be when the team delivers results on the field.
“Patience pays dividends; that sums up our entire auction approach. We stayed patient while big money was spent early. Our preparation was crucial. We knew exactly what type of players we needed and how to build our squad. I’m very happy with the players we’ve brought into our team,” Rangarajan reflected on the auction.
Due to Sophie Molineux’s unavailability, the focus shifted to refining existing strengths. “We wanted Sophie Molineux back, but she didn’t register for the auction. We focused on improving our winning combination rather than making major changes. Our goal was to build the best bowling attack while maintaining batting power. With Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, and Ellyse Perry already in the team, adding Nadine de Klerk and Grace Harris gives us more options. Pooja Vastrakar and Arundhati Reddy provide bowling flexibility and batting depth, too. We wanted a good fielding side, and I’m happy with our picks, but the real proof will come on the field,” he added.
While the club remains concerned about Pooja Vastrakar’s current fitness, Rangarajan remains optimistic. “A fully fit Pooja Vastrakar brings great value to any team. She’s currently rehabbing at the Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru, and our information suggests she could be ready in the next few weeks. With WPL still a month away, we have enough time to get her match‑ready. Arundhati Reddy is another excellent addition, a World Cup winner, a top fielder, and a bowler who can deliver in all phases. She’s also a great character to have in our team, so we’re very happy with these signings,” he said.
Anya Shrubsole, speaking on JioHotstar, expressed her satisfaction with the auction outcomes. “We were looking for a top‑order batter as a replacement for Georgia Wareham, who brings the quality and power to the table like her, and we found the perfect option in Nadine de Klerk. We are really pleased with that addition. Nadine de Klerk’s all‑round abilities make us very happy with our auction results so far.”
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