Reports indicate that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have appointed former England fast bowler Anya Shrubsole as their new bowling coach for the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026. This decision follows changes in the coaching staff, including the resignation of head coach Luke Williams due to scheduling conflicts.
Having retired from international cricket in 2022 with 227 wickets across formats, Shrubsole is a two-time World Cup champion and a prominent figure in England’s bowling history. Her standout performance in the 2017 World Cup final against India at Lord’s, where she took 6/46, remains a memorable moment in women’s cricket.
Since retiring, Shrubsole has been involved in coaching at Southern Brave in The Hundred and has served as a player-mentor for various domestic teams in England.
This appointment marks Shrubsole’s first permanent coaching role in franchise cricket, taking over from Sunetra Paranjape, who was the bowling coach during RCB’s successful WPL 2024 campaign.
RCB’s management aims to enhance their bowling unit with fresh perspectives, particularly with the presence of Indian talents like Renuka Singh, Shreyanka Patil, and Sophie Devine.
MALOLAN RANGARAJAN NEW COACH
Meanwhile, Luke Williams, who led RCB to their first WPL title earlier this year, has stepped down as head coach. His departure is due to prior commitments with the Adelaide Strikers in Australia’s Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), coinciding with the start of the advanced WPL 2026 schedule in January.
In Williams’ absence, Malolan Rangarajan, RCB’s longstanding assistant and strategy coach, is likely to be promoted to the head coach position. Rangarajan, part of the RCB setup since 2020, has played a key role in developing local