Royal Challengers Bengaluru women have made a massive change to their team ahead of the upcoming edition of the Women’s Premier League. All-rounder Sophie Molineux has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury, and it will be a blow for the Smriti Mandhana-led team.
Sophie Molineux played a vital role for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their title triumph in the last edition. The team acquired her for INR 30 lakh in the WPL player auction. He played 10 matches for the team last season and was decent with bat and ball.
Sophie Molineux ruled out for WPL 2025, RCB add Charlotte Ellen Dean to squad
Sophie Molineux scored 78 runs last season with a best of 33 against Delhi Capitals. The best came with the Ballas. He picked 12 wickets with an economy of around 7 and an average of 23. His best result came in the match against Delhi, where he returned with figures of 3/20.
His absence will leave a huge void in the team for the next edition of the league. But the Royal Challengers Bengaluru women did not take the time to name Sophie Molineux’s replacement. The franchise brought in England women’s national cricket team all-rounder Charlotte Ellen Dean into the team.
Charlotte Ellen Dean, who has played 36 T20Is, 3 Tests and 39 ODIs for the England Women’s National Cricket Team, will join Royal Challengers Bengaluru for INR 30 Lakh. He would hope to take advantage of an opportunity and help his team win the title.
Sophie Molineux has unfortunately been ruled out, English all-rounder has been chosen as her replacement – RCB statement
Releasing the official statement, the franchise stated: “Our champion all-rounder Sophie Molineux has unfortunately been ruled out of #WPL2025 due to a knee injury, and England all-rounder has been chosen as his replacement. Welcome to #ourRCB, Charlie! We can’t wait to see you spread your magic on the field.”
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
Unfortunately, our all-round champion Sophie Molineux has been ruled out. #WPL2025 due to a knee injury, and English all-rounder has been chosen as her replacement.
welcome to #OurRCBCharlie! We can’t… pic.twitter.com/99LrPa1oMl
– Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) January 16, 2025
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are the defending champions of the tournament
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are the defending champions of the tournament after defeating Delhi Capitals in the final to win the franchise’s first title in the history of franchise cricket. They would be interested in defending their title and winning consecutive titles in the Women’s Premier League.
Although there is no official confirmation, there were some reports claiming that WPL 2025 would begin on February 6 or 7. The final of the tournament will take place on March 8 or 9. There have been reports that this time the tournament will be held at four venues.
The WPL will be played at four venues in Mumbai, Lucknow, Bengaluru and Vadodara. The Board of Control for Cricket in India is likely to make the official announcement soon.
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