THE INAUGURAL Women’s Premier League (WPL) competition kicks off on the weekend, the women’s equivalent of the Indian Premier League (IPL) which is set to revolutionise the women’s game in much the same way.

In the lead up to the tournament, Rookie Me Central will take a deep dive into each of the team’s individually and take a look at who is a part of their respective inaugural sides.

Today’s preview is all about the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Coached by current New Zealand Women’s head coach Ben Sawyer, one thing that really stands out about the Royal Challengers’ side is how much experience they have recruited.

Spearheading the squad’s quality are two members of the Australian side that recently won the T20 World Cup.

Ellyse Perry has had her injuries over the years but is back to her best, while Megan Schutt is equally as dangerous and intimidating with ball in hand as Perry.

There is a third Aussie coming to Bangalore, with experienced batter Erin Burns also set to don the Challengers’ uniform this season.

There are three other internationals set to make their mark in Challengers’ colours this season.

English skipper Heather Knight is one, and despite having her own injury issues over the last few years, she’ll be keen to make a splash.

Kiwi Sophie Devine will link up with her national team coach with hopes of putting a disappointing World Cup behind her, as she showcases her potency at the top of the order.

South African Dane van Niekerk was controversially not picked for the historic World Cup for her side, so will no doubt be out for vengeance and out to prove the South African selectors wrong.

She will have to play against wife Marizanne Kapp (who was picked up by Delhi), which will be strange for both of them as they rarely play on opposing teams.

Of the Indian contingent in the team, there are some big names who have made their names known at international level.

None more so than star batter Smriti Mandhana, who was the most expensive player at the auction and once she gets going with the bat is very hard to stop.

Richa Ghosh can also be dangerous with the bat, while Renuka Singh Thakur burst onto the scene at last year’s Commonwealth Games but will be out to rediscover the form she showed at that tournament.

Royal Challengers Bangalore 2023 Squad

Ellyse Perry (AUS), Renuka Singh, Sophie Devine (NZ), Heather Knight (ENG), Megan Schutt (AUS), Kanika Ahuja, Dane van Niekerk (SA), Erin Burns (AUS), Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Preeti Bose, Komal Zanzad, Asha Shobana, Disha Kasat, Indrani Roy, Poonam Khemnar, Sahana Pawar, Shreyanka Patil

Royal Challengers Bangalore 2023 Fixture (All times AEDT)

March 5 – 9pm – Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Capitals
March 7 – 1am – Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
March 9 – 1am – Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
March 11 – 1am – Royal Challengers Bangalore vs UP Warriorz
March 14 – 1am – Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
March 16 – 1am – UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bangalore
March 19 – 1am – Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Giants
March 21 – 9pm – Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians