RCB completes squad with four additions at WPL 2027 auction

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) added four players at the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2027 mini-auction in Kochi on Wednesday. Australian all-rounder Jess Jonassen joined for Rs 40 lakh.

RCB also signed South African all-rounder Chloe Tryon and Indian batter Tejal Hasabnis for Rs 30 lakh each, and Indian batter Vrinda Dinesh for Rs 10 lakh, according to an RCB release.

Jonassen strengthens the team’s spin attack, and Tryon adds all-round depth. Hasabnis and Dinesh give RCB more Indian batting options as they finalise their squad to defend the title.


Coach on Dinesh and Tryon

RCB head coach Malolan Rangarajan said the team did not expect to land Dinesh, who was born in Karnataka. “I’m very happy that we’ve been able to bring a Karnataka-born player into the squad,” he said. He added that she has done exceptionally well for India A, and RCB moved the moment the chance came.

On Tryon, Rangarajan said the team has signed an experienced international who has played well in franchise leagues. She can bat anywhere between No. 4 and No. 7 and is handy with her left-arm spin, he said.

He said RCB wanted players who already know the WPL. “We now have a very good mix of experienced players and a couple of youngsters who are looking to play for the country,” he said.

Perry’s return, a tight purse

Rangarajan said the return of Ellyse Perry was big for RCB. The batting had a void without her, he said, but the team did well to cope with her absence last year. With Perry back, RCB have “a very, very good player at number three”, he said.

He said teams did not get an extra purse this time, unlike in earlier years. RCB released Grace Harris to create more money for the auction and stay competitive, he said.

RCB came into the auction with 13 retained players and Rs 1.15 crore in the purse.

RCB squad

Signed at the auction: Jess Jonassen (Rs 40 lakh), Chloe Tryon (Rs 30 lakh), Tejal Hasabnis (Rs 30 lakh), Vrinda Dinesh (Rs 10 lakh).

Retained: Smriti Mandhana (captain), Georgia Voll, Nadine de Klerk, Ellyse Perry, Shreyanka Patil, Sayali Satghare, Richa Ghosh, Prathyoosha Kumar, Lauren Bell, Arundhati Reddy, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav and Prema Rawat.