The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), have suffered a major setback ahead of the third season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), as Shreyanka Patil has been ruled out due to an unrecovered shin injury. In her place, all-rounder Sneh Rana has been drafted into the squad, adding much-needed depth to the side.
Shreyanka Patil’s Absence a Major Blow
Patil played a pivotal role in RCB’s title-winning campaign in 2024, finishing as the leading wicket-taker of the season with 13 scalps in just eight matches, earning the Purple Cap. She was particularly instrumental in the final against Delhi Capitals, where she claimed four crucial wickets to secure the championship. However, her injury has now sidelined her from the entire 2025 season, further adding to RCB’s growing injury concerns.
RCB Faces Injury Woes
Patil’s exclusion adds to RCB’s injury troubles, with Asha Sobhana and Sophie Molineux already ruled out. Additionally, the team is without England’s Kate Cross and New Zealand’s Sophie Devine, weakening their squad ahead of their title defense.
Sneh Rana Joins RCB as a Replacement
Sneh Rana, who previously played for Gujarat Giants across two WPL seasons, has now found a home at RCB. She was unsold in the 2025 WPL auction but has been handed a golden opportunity following Patil’s unavailability. Rana, a versatile all-rounder, has captained Gujarat Giants in two matches when Beth Mooney was injured and brings experience and balance to the RCB squad. She has already joined the main squad in Vadodara, having traveled earlier for RCB’s pre-season training camp.
As RCB gears up for their opening match, the defending champions will hope Rana can fill the void left by Patil and help them navigate through their injury-hit campaign.