The defending champions of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), have been dealt a major blow ahead of the 2025 season. Star spinner Shreyanka Patil has been ruled out due to a shin injury, forcing the team to make last-minute adjustments. Despite being included in the squad, Patil couldn’t recover in time for the tournament, which kicked off on February 14.

To compensate for her absence, RCB have signed seasoned all-rounder Sneh Rana as a replacement. Rana has already joined the team, having traveled to Vadodara earlier this week for the franchise’s pre-season camp.

Shreyanka Patil’s Impact and RCB’s Growing Injury Woes

Shreyanka Patil was a key performer in RCB’s title-winning campaign in 2024, finishing as the tournament’s highest wicket-taker with 13 scalps in eight matches. Her stellar performance in the final against Delhi Capitals, where she took four crucial wickets, played a pivotal role in securing the trophy for RCB.

Her injury adds to RCB’s growing list of unavailable players, which already includes Asha Sobhana and Sophie Molineux. The squad is also missing international stars Kate Cross and Sophie Devine, further weakening their squad depth.

Sneh Rana’s WPL Experience and Fresh Opportunity

Sneh Rana, a proven all-rounder, brings valuable experience to RCB. She has previously played for Gujarat Giants, featuring in 12 WPL matches across two seasons. Notably, she even led the Giants as stand-in captain in two games when Beth Mooney was injured.

Despite going unsold in the WPL 2025 auction, Rana now gets a fresh opportunity with the defending champions. With her all-round skills and leadership experience, she could play a crucial role in filling the void left by Patil.

What’s Next for RCB?

With injuries piling up, RCB will need to adapt quickly to maintain their championship aspirations. The inclusion of Sneh Rana adds depth to their squad, but overcoming the absence of key players will be a major challenge. As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on how RCB strategizes to defend their title