Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have appointed Malolan Rangarajan as the new head coach of their women’s team for the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) cycle. He replaces Luke Williams, who had been in charge since 2024.
The new WPL season will begin earlier than usual, starting in early January. Williams will be unavailable due to his commitments as head coach of the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League.
Former Tamil Nadu Player Malolan Rangarajan Takes Over RCB Head Coach Duties from Luke Williams
Malolan, a former Tamil Nadu cricketer, has been part of the RCB setup for the last six years. He has worked in multiple roles within the franchise, gaining valuable experience along the way. For the past two years, he has served as the assistant coach of the RCB women’s team. His promotion to head coach marks a natural step up in his journey with the team.
Malolan has been praised for his calm approach and deep understanding of the game. His close working relationship with captain Smriti Mandhana has also been a big factor in his appointment.
Speaking about the new head coach, skipper Smriti Mandhana said, “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.”
Under Luke Williams, RCB had a mixed record in the league. After finishing as champions in the 2024 season, they ended fourth in the following edition. The franchise will now look to rebuild and regain momentum under Malolan’s leadership.
With the WPL 2025 season approaching fast, RCB are also preparing for the player retention and release process. The team, along with other franchises, will announce their list of retained players on Thursday.
Malolan’s promotion is expected to bring stability and continuity to the setup, especially with many players already familiar with his coaching style. His detailed planning and strong connection with the players could play a key role as RCB aim to bounce back strongly.
Fans will be eager to see if the new coach-captain duo of Malolan Rangarajan and Smriti Mandhana can guide Royal Challengers Bengaluru to another title in the upcoming WPL season.
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