Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women have made a huge change to their squad ahead of the next edition of the Women’s Premier League. All-rounder Sophie Molineux has been ruled out for the entire season with a knee injury and will be a huge blow for the Smriti Mandhana-led side.
Sophie Molineux played a vital role for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their title-clinching triumph in the last edition. He was acquired by the team for INR 30 lakh in the WPL Player Auction. He played 10 games for the team last season and was decent with bat and ball.
Sophie Molineux ruled out of WPL 2025, RCB add Charlotte Ellen Dean to squad
Sophie Molineux scored 78 runs last season with a best of 33 against Delhi Capitals. Her best came with Ballas. She picked 12 wickets with an economy of around 7 and an average of 23. Her best came in the match against Delhi where she returned with figures of 3/20.
Her absence will leave a huge gap in the team going into the next edition of the league. But Royal Challengers Bengaluru women took no time in naming Sophie Molineux’s replacement. The franchise has added England Women’s National Cricket Team all-rounder Charlotte Ellen Dean to the squad.
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. She would be hoping to cash in on an opportunity and help her team win the title.
Sophie Molineux, unfortunately, was blocked, English all -powerful 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐧 has been selected RCB statement
Releasing the official statement, the franchise said: “Our champion Sophie Molineux has unfortunately been ruled out of #WPL2025 due to a knee injury and the England all-rounder 𝐧𝐡𝐫𝐥𝐨𝐭𝐭 𝐄𝐥𝐥𝐧 𝐒𝐨𝐧 has been chosen as her replacement. Welcome to #usRCB, Charlie! We can’t wait to see you spread your magic on the pitch”
🔊 OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT 🔊
Our champion, Sophie Molineux was unfortunately disqualified #WPL2025 due to a knee injury, and the English athlete 𝐡𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐧𝐧𝐧 was 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 beating Delhi Capitals in the final to clinch the first title for the franchise in the history of the cricket franchise. They would like to defend their title and win back-to-back Women’s Premier League titles.
Although there is no official confirmation, there have been a few reports claiming that WPL 2025 will start on February 6 or 7. The final of the tournament will take place on March 8 or 9. There have been reports that the tournament this time will be held at four venues.
The WPL will be played at four venues in Mumbai, Lucknow, Bangalore and Vadodara. The Board of Control for Cricket in India is likely to make the official announcement soon.
Read also: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: KL Rahul sidelined as two wicketkeepers picked for CT
