Sneh Rana Makes Her Women’s Premier League Debut for RCB in WPL 2025

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8:06 pm
February 24, 2025

On February 24, 2025, Indian all-rounder Sneh Rana stepped onto the Women’s Premier League (WPL) stage for the first time with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), marking a significant moment in her cricketing journey and for the defending champions. The third season of the WPL, which kicked off on February 14, has already delivered thrilling performances, and Rana’s debut adds another layer of excitement as RCB continues its title defense.

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A New Chapter with RCB

Sneh Rana joined RCB as an injury replacement for the talented Shreyanka Patil, who was ruled out of the 2025 season due to a shin injury. Patil, a key figure in RCB’s championship-winning campaign in 2024, left a void in the squad with her absence, having claimed 13 wickets in eight matches last season, including a match-defining 4/12 in the final against Delhi Capitals. Rana, a seasoned off-spin all-rounder, was brought in for INR 30 lakh, offering a like-for-like replacement with her experience and versatility.

Rana’s inclusion in the RCB lineup came after she was released by her previous franchise, Gujarat Giants (GG), ahead of the WPL 2025 auction and went unsold in December. Her acquisition by RCB on February 15 was a strategic move to bolster the team’s spin-bowling stocks, especially amidst a spate of injuries that have plagued the squad early in the tournament. With Asha Sobhana, Sophie Molineux, Sophie Devine, and Kate Cross also sidelined, Rana’s arrival provided a much-needed boost.

The Debut Moment

Rana’s WPL 2025 debut occurred on February 24 during RCB’s match against an unspecified opponent, as the tournament schedule beyond the opening games remains fluid in public reporting at this stage. Fans and teammates alike expressed their excitement on social platforms, capturing the sentiment. One fan wrote, “Sneh Rana is making her WPL debut for RCB today. Wishing her the best of luck ,” reflecting the anticipation surrounding her first appearance in the red, blue, and gold.

At 30 years old, Rana brings a wealth of experience to the RCB camp. A veteran of Indian cricket since her debut in 2014, she has represented the national team across all formats, amassing 23 wickets in four Tests, 29 in 27 ODIs, and 24 in 25 T20Is. Her standout performance came in a Test match against South Africa in June 2024, where she claimed a 10-wicket haul, showcasing her ability to dominate with the ball. While her WPL record with Gujarat Giants was modest—six wickets in 12 matches at an economy of 9.02 and 47 runs at an average of 6.71—her leadership experience as GG’s stand-in captain in 2023 adds another dimension to her role at RCB.

What to Expect

Stepping into Patil’s shoes is no small task, but Rana’s skill set makes her a compelling addition. Known for her firefighting capabilities, she has a history of turning games around in crunch situations. Her defiant unbeaten 80 in a Test match against England in Bristol in 2021, rescuing India from a precarious position, remains a testament to her resilience. In the WPL, she’ll aim to blend her tight off-spin bowling with handy lower-order contributions, supporting captain Smriti Mandhana and stars like Ellyse Perry and Richa Ghosh.

RCB began their WPL 2025 campaign on a high note, chasing down 201 against Gujarat Giants in the season opener on February 14 in Vadodara—the first 200-plus chase in the tournament’s history. Rana’s debut offers the team an opportunity to maintain that momentum, particularly in the bowling department, where her experience could prove invaluable on the spin-friendly pitches of Vadodara, Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Mumbai, the four host cities this season.

Looking Ahead

As the WPL 2025 progresses towards its finale on March 15 at the Cricket Club of India in Mumbai, Rana’s debut marks the beginning of what could be a defining stint with RCB. With the team already navigating a challenging injury crisis, her performance could shape their quest to retain the title won in 2024 against Delhi Capitals. For Rana, it’s a chance to reignite her T20 credentials—she hasn’t played a white-ball game for India since December 2023—and cement her place in one of the world’s premier T20 leagues.

Sneh Rana’s journey from Gujarat Giants to Royal Challengers Bengaluru has now come full circle with her debut on February 24, 2025. As she takes the field, all eyes will be on the all-rounder to weave her magic and help RCB script another chapter of success in the Women’s Premier League.