Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis Hand Over RCB Women's Captaincy to Star Player Smriti Mandhana

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), one of the most iconic franchises in the Indian Premier League, has announced that Smriti Mandhana will lead their women's team in the inaugural season of the Women's Premier League. Mandhana, who was the highest-paid player at the WPL auction, will carry the weight of the iconic number 18, which she wears in honour of former RCB captain Virat Kohli. In a video released by RCB, Kohli and current IPL skipper Faf du Plessis were seen passing on the baton to Mandhana, expressing their confidence in her leadership skills. The 26-year-old Indian vice-captain has already played 116 T20Is for India, scoring 2,661 runs at an average of 27.15 and a strike rate of 123.19. RCB has always been associated with the biggest names in cricket, with legends like Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Rahul Dravid having represented the franchise. Mandhana's appointment as captain for the women's team reinforces the franchise's commitment to promoting women's cricket and nurturing young talent.