Virat Kohli recently sent his warm wishes to the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) women’s team ahead of their 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) campaign. The defending champions will begin their title defence on February 14, taking on Ash Gardner’s Gujarat Giants at the newly-built Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.
RCB had a strong finish in 2024, clinching the title after defeating Delhi Capitals in the final. Although they couldn’t qualify for the playoffs in 2023, they bounced back with a stellar performance last year. In a video shared on RCB’s social media, Kohli, the all-time leading run-scorer in the Indian Premier League (IPL), encouraged the team to remain free-spirited and play with confidence.
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“I would like to wish the women’s team all the very best for the upcoming WPL season. It’s amazing what you did last year, and I just hope you take that momentum and confidence into this tournament as well,” Virat Kohli said. “There’s no shortage of talent in the squad, and with the burden of defending the title off your shoulders, I’m sure you’ll go out there, express yourselves, and enjoy the support you get from fans all over India. Best of luck!”
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Despite being the defending champions, RCB faces some challenges heading into the new season due to injuries. Several key players, including Kate Cross, Asha Sobhana, and Sophie Molineux, won’t be available. Additionally, Sophie Devine, who holds the record for the highest individual score of 99 in the WPL, has opted out of the tournament to take a break from domestic cricket.
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In response to these setbacks, RCB has made strategic replacements, with Charlie Dean coming in for Molineux, and Heather Graham and Kim Garth replacing Devine and Cross. Furthermore, wicketkeeper Nuzhat Parween was added to the squad following Sobhana’s injury. Despite these challenges, RCB remains hopeful for a successful season and is ready to take on the competition in this exciting tournament.
