Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have confirmed the appointment of former England fast bowler as their new bowling coach ahead of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026. The move is part of a larger restructuring within the franchise’s support staff as they prepare for the upcoming season.

RCB announces appointment of a new coach ahead of upcoming WPL season

RCB have announced the appointment of Anya Shrubsole as their new bowling coach. Shrubsole’s appointment comes alongside the promotion of Malolan Rangarajanthe former Tamil Nadu spinner, who will take over as head coach for WPL 2026. Rangarajan replaces Luke Williamswho will miss the season owing to his coaching commitments with Adelaide Strikers in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).

The reshuffle was triggered by a scheduling conflict, as the WPL has been advanced by a month. The 2026 edition is now set to begin on January 8 and conclude in early February, allowing a clear window before India co-hosts the Men’s T20 World Cup with Sri Lanka in February-March, followed by the IPL 2026 season.

Former English star brings wealth of experience

A World Cup winner in 2017, Shrubsole retired from international cricket in 2022 after a stellar career in which she claimed over 200 wickets across formats. Known for her swing and ability to perform in high-pressure matches, the 33-year-old will bring valuable experience to RCB’s bowling group.

Post-retirement, Shrubsole transitioned into coaching, serving as assistant coach-cum-player under Charlotte Edwards at Southern Vipers in England’s domestic circuit. Her upcoming stint with RCB will be her first coaching role in the WPL, replacing Sunetra Paranjapewho held the position until 2025.

Malolan Rangarajan takes charge as head coach

Rangarajan, a familiar face within the RCB setup, has been with the franchise since the inaugural WPL season. Having previously worked under Ben Sawyer and Mike Hesson in 2023, and later under Williams during their title-winning 2024 campaign, he now steps into the head coach role with a deep understanding of the team’s dynamics. Apart from his WPL role, Rangarajan also serves as the lead scout for RCB’s men’s team, a dual responsibility that highlights the franchise’s emphasis on continuity and talent development. The rest of the RCB support staff remains largely unchanged, with R Muralidhar continuing as batting coach, and Named Gautam expected to retain her position as head physio.

This article was first published at WomenCricket.coma Read company.