The defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru completed their squad at the TATA WPL 2027 Auction with key signings, including Jess Jonassen, Chloe Tryon and Indian international Tejal Hasabnis, as they look to go back-to-back. RCB head coach Malolan Rangarajan shared his thoughts on the team’s decision to go all-out for Sophie Molineux and the signing of Jonassen.
RCB Head Coach Malolan Rangarajan reflected on the team’s decision to go after Australian Captain Sophie Molineux despite budget constraints:
“When you have Rs 1.15 crores and you go till 1.05 for her, I think we did the best we could to get her back. We also have to recognise that we did win the championship last year. So, we would have loved to have her in our squad, and we tried to demonstrate that. But I wish Sophie the very best when she plays for UP, a gun cricketer. We would have liked her, but again, that’s how the auction works, and we had other players also that we were looking at.”
On signing Jess Jonassen despite her injury concerns:
“She has opted not to play the WBBL now because she is nursing an injury. The information we have at the moment is that she’s going to be fit by the end of December, and she’ll play a couple of domestic List-A games in Australia and should be fit in time for the WPL. JJ is a very experienced player. We’re aware of her current fitness status, but we still wanted her. Similarly with Sophie also. We were very aware of what we were going to sign up for. So, if required, we also have all our backup plans ready. I’d like to focus on JJ the player and the way she improves our team. A left-arm spinner who is a powerplay option for us through the middle and death, and more importantly, bats anywhere between four and six. So very, very happy to have JJ in the team.”
