Royal Challengers Bangalore Women have made drastic changes to their squad ahead of the next edition of the Women’s Super League. All-rounder Sophie Molyneux is out for the entire season due to a knee injury, which will be a huge blow to the Smriti Mandana-led side.

Sophie Molineux played a crucial role in Royal Challengers Bangalore’s title win in the last edition. She was acquired by the team for Rs 30 lakh in the WPL player auction. She played 10 games for the team last season and performed well with both bat and ball.

Sophie Molineux ruled out of WPL 2025, RCB includes Charlotte Ellen Dean in squad

Sophie Molineux scored a best 78 runs from 33 runs against Delhi Capitals last season. Her best results came with Barras. She picked 12 wickets with an economy of around 7 and an average of 23. Her best performance came against Delhi where she returned with figures of 3/20.

Her absence will leave a huge void heading into the next league. But Royal Challengers Bangalore Women have not taken their time to name a successor to Sophie Molyneux. The team has included England women’s national cricket team all-rounder Charlotte Ellen Dean in the squad.

Charlotte Ellen Dean, who has played 36 T20Is, 3 Tests and 39 ODIs for England Women’s National Cricket Team, will join Royal Challengers Bangalore for INR 30 Lakhs Team. She hopes she can seize the opportunity and help her team win the championship.

Sophie Molyneux has been unfortunately ruled out and England all-rounder 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐧 has been chosen as her replacement – RCB statement

Releasing an official statement, the team said: “Unfortunately our champion all-rounder Sophie Molineux has been ruled out of #WPL2025 due to a knee injury and England all-rounder 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐧 has been chosen as her replacement. Welcome to #ourRCB, Charlie! We can’t wait to see you work your magic on the pitch.”

🔊Official Announcement🔊

Our all-around champion Sophie Molyneux was unfortunately left out #WPL2025 England all-rounder 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐧 was chosen as her replacement due to a knee injury.

welcome to #ourRCBCharlie! We can’t… pic.twitter.com/99LrPa1oMl

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) January 16, 2025

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are the defending champions of this tournament

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated Delhi Capitals in the final to win the first title in the history of franchise cricket and become the defending champions of the tournament. They are eager to defend their title and win back-to-back titles in the Women’s Super League.

Although there is no official confirmation, there are some reports that WPL 2025 will start on February 6 or 7. The finals will be held on March 8 or 9. According to reports, the tournament will be held at four venues.

The WPL will be held at four venues in Mumbai, Lucknow, Bengaluru and Vadodara. The Board of Control for Cricket in India is likely to make an official announcement soon.

Also read: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: KL Rahul sidelined, two goalkeepers picked for CT