New Delhi: Royal Challengers Bengaluru appear to have quietly strengthened their title credentials ahead of the TATA Women’s Premier League 2026, thanks to a couple of smart, value-for-money signings. The additions of Nadine de Klerk and England pacer Lauren Bell have drawn strong praise from former cricketers, who believe the moves have added balance, firepower, and calm under pressure to the squad.
Speaking on JioStar’s TATA WPL show, experts Saba Karim, Veda Krishnamurthy and Anjum Chopra highlighted how RCB’s auction strategy has addressed key gaps—particularly in the pace department and the finishing role.
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Bell brings pace, experience and big-match temperament
Former India cricketer Saba Karim felt Lauren Bell’s inclusion could be a turning point for RCB this season. He pointed to her experience and ability to handle pressure situations, especially in Indian conditions.
“Lauren Bell is a very good buy for RCB. They needed an experienced overseas pace bowler, and Bell fits that role perfectly,” Karim said, adding that her strong performances in the Women’s ODI World Cup make her a reliable option with the new ball.
Veda Krishnamurthy echoed that view, underlining the tactical importance of Bell’s powerplay skills. According to her, RCB needed someone who could strike early, especially after missing out on Renuka Singh Thakur at the auction. “At ₹90 lakh, Lauren Bell is a really good buy. She’s going to play a very important role with the ball,” Krishnamurthy noted.
Richa Ghosh and Nadine de Klerk: a scary finishing combo
The biggest talking point, however, has been the finishing partnership between Richa Ghosh and Nadine de Klerk. Saba Karim believes the duo gives RCB genuine match-winning muscle in the middle and death overs.
“With de Klerk and Richa Ghosh in the middle order, RCB now has two powerful finishers,” he said. “This combination will create fear in the minds of opposition bowlers. They bring belief—belief that even tough games can be turned around.”
Anjum Chopra was even more direct, calling de Klerk’s ₹65 lakh price tag a steal. “It’s a bargain deal. Not many teams went for her, but RCB is very lucky. Seeing Richa Ghosh and Nadine de Klerk batting together in the death overs will be scary for bowlers,” he said.
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Squad balance looking stronger under Mandhana
RCB’s improved balance hasn’t gone unnoticed. Along with Bell and de Klerk, the signing of Radha Yadav has added depth in both bowling and fielding. Krishnamurthy pointed out that Yadav’s T20 form and athleticism could make a real difference if backed well by the leadership group.
With Smriti Mandhana at the helm, the experts feel Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally look like a side built not just on star names, but on roles that make sense.
As Women’s Premier League 2026 approaches, RCB may not be the loudest team at the auction table—but if expert opinions are anything to go by, they might just be one of the smartest.
