Ellyse Perry’s availability for WPL 2027 is sure to serve as a shot in the arm for RCB, with the elite all-rounder named as one among 13 players retained by the franchise ahead of the Auction scheduled for October 2026.

Head Coach Malolan Rangarajan, speaking in a video posted on RCB's social media channels, shared his thoughts on how Perry’s return will significantly boost the squad.

Malo said, “With Perry returning to our squad, it bolsters the team in all departments. She comes in as a batter at number three, and that got us thinking about how we could balance the squad and look for options in the auction.”

Perry, who pulled out of WPL 2026 due to personal reasons, was a major driving factor in RCB’s title-winning charge when they won the trophy in the second season, with the Australian clinching the Orange Cap for her 347 runs at a stunning average of 69.4.

With the ball, Perry also claimed seven wickets, offering captain Smriti Mandhana a lot of wiggle room to try out combinations which eventually brought home the franchise’s first-ever title.

The star all-rounder picked up right from where she left off next season, smashing 372 runs from eight matches at an average of 93 and strike rate of 148.8, topping the run-scoring charts for RCB.

Speaking on the retentions made by RCB overall, he added, “We've had the benefit and privilege to be able to retain a major core of our squad, 13 players, nine Indians and four overseas. This is obviously a winning combination. But it's important for us to realize and the players to realize that we expect and they are expected to come in with improvements in their performance.”

On the blueprint for further strengthening the squad, Malo mentioned, “The intent with which we're going to approach this auction is to improve our team.”

He concluded with a message for the RCB fans, saying, “The 12th man army has always been there for the team, always supported us through thick and thin. As a support staff, as a coaching staff, we pride our team playing to a specific style that inspires our fans, and we're sure we'll try to do that again next year, and we're absolutely certain that you guys will be there to support us even the next WPL.”

The WPL Player Auction is scheduled for October 28th, 2026 in Kochi, with the WPL 2027 season set to begin on January 14th and conclude with the summit clash on February 7th, the venues for which are yet to be confirmed.