“We want to be the first team to go back-to-back” - Malolan Rangarajan sets out RCB’s goal ahead of WPL 2027 Auction

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Head Coach, Malolan Rangarajan, has made it clear that the defending champions are chasing history in WPL 2027. RCB aims to become the first side in the competition to win back-to-back titles and the first to lift the trophy three times.

RCB clinched their second WPL crown in February, chasing down 204 against Delhi Capitals in Vadodara - the highest successful chase in the tournament’s history.

They head into today’s auction in Kochi having retained 13 players from the title-winning squad with five slots to fill, two of them overseas, and a purse of INR 1.15 Crore.

Speaking on an episode of RCB Bold Diaries ahead of the WPL 2027 Auction, Malolan said the target for the season had already been set, and every player in the squad, retained or new, will be aware of it.

He said, “We won the title last year, and it’s very clear what we’re looking to do this coming year also. We want to be the team that’s looking to go back-to-back, the first team to go back-to-back, and the first team that wants to win three titles. So that’s very clear.”

Malolan added, “The girls who were there last year are very aware of it, and the ones who will join this year should know absolutely without any doubt what we’re looking to do.”

Despite having the bulk of their squad already in place, Malolan insisted RCB would not take a casual approach to the auction table, focusing firmly on adding depth for captain Smriti Mandhana.

He said, “I don’t know if it’s relaxed. It’s going to be a very well thought out and planned option from our point. Like I said, we’re looking to improve the team. We need to give Smriti as many options as she has going into the tournament and going into the game. So that’s going to be our intention.”

The WPL 2027 season will run from January 14 to February 7, with the venues yet to be announced by the BCCI.