Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is making a big splash by bringing in seriously talented people to help out the women’s team in support of WPL 2026. The latest news is that the former England fast bowler and 2017 World Cup winner Anya Shrubsole has taken up the role of bowling coach for the women in the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise.
Shrubsole, one of the most celebrated cricketers in England’s history, quit international cricket in 2022 after a glorious career during which she took more than 200 wickets for England.
She was admired for her swing bowling and mental strength in big matches and most famously remembered for her tremendous performance of six wickets for 46 runs in the final of the 2017 World Cup, which eventually led to England winning the trophy.
With the arrival of Anya Shrubsole, RCB seems to have doubled up the women’s support staff under the coaching system of 2026 season.
After ending her cricket career in the international arena, Anya Shrubsole turned to coaching and worked with the Southern Vipers as a player-assistant coach under the Great Charlotte Edwards.
Now, she is going to leave her imprint in a tournament like Women’s Premier League for the first time.
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ESPN Cricinfo states that Shrubsole will be the new pitch coach for Royal Challengers and Bengaluru Women’s (RCBW) for the WPL 2026 season ahead of them.
Bringing Anya Shrubsole on board at RCB is a result of coaching reshuffle. Head coach Luke Williams will miss this season due to a scheduling conflict between the WPL and the BBL.
Malolan Rangarajan, who is a well-known figure within the RCB setup, will act as the interim head coach going forward.
The Tamil Nadu spinner Rangarajan has been associated with RCB’s WPL team since the beginning of the league and also works as a lead scout for the men’s franchise.
Rangarajan, the ex-spinner of Tamil Nadu, has always been with the RCB’s WPL team since the very first season and is now the leading scout for the men’s side as well.
The duo of Shrubsole and Rangarajan will aspire to rekindle the spark that RCB had during their magical run to winning the first-ever WPL title, which was also the first-ever trophy for them in the history of the franchise.
The WPL retention deadline is set to November 5
RCBW is preparing for a hectic few weeks leading up to the November 5 retention deadline and the WPL mega auction, which is tentatively scheduled for November 26 in New Delhi.
Unsurprisingly, Smriti Mandhana continues to be the prime retention choice for the franchise and will be the team captain again.
Negotiations are taking place with stars such as Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh, Sophie Molineux, and Shreyanka Patil to ensure their place in the next season.
