Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have announced the appointment of new head coach, Malolan Rangarajan, ahead of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction. Rangarajan has been part of the RCB Women coaching staff since 2024, assisting Luke Williams.
Rangrajan was elevated to the top role as Williams will be with Adelaide Strikers as their head coach for the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) season.
“Malolan Rangarajan, a key member of the RCB support staff for the last 6 years in various roles, has now been appointed as head coach for the upcoming WPL cycle,” RCB said in an official statement.
RCB captain, Smriti Mandhana who led the team to WPL glory in 2024 season, congratulated the former Tamil Nadu off-spinner.
“I want to congratulate Malolan Rangarajan on his appointment as Head Coach of RCB in the WPL. I share great rapport with him and I’ve enjoyed our cricketing discussions. He’s been a positive influence on the girls over the last three years and I’m confident of working well together, leading RCB to success in the upcoming season,” the skipper said.
Rangarajan has been involved with the RCB franchise for almost six years in various coaching capacities.
Rangarajan’s career
Rangarajan made his first-class debut in 2011. Later in his career, he joined Uttarakhand. He played 47 first-class games, scoring 1,371 runs at an average of 28.14, featuring a century and seven fifties. With the ball, he claimed 136 wickets at an average of 28.98, including five fifers.
He did not play too many T20s and List A (One-Day) games. He represented two Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) franchises. His last appearance in professional cricket was in TNPL 2019 season at the age of 30.
RCB’s retentions
Ahead of WPL mega auction, RCB have reportedly retained their core -- Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh, Shreyanka Patil. Among high profile Indian players, they let go of Renuka Thakur and Sneh Rana.