7 months ago
RCB Players Aim for Strong Performances in WPL 2026
Prathyoosha Kumar and Gautami Naik are two players from the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026.
Prathyoosha wants to play with more confidence and try new shots instead of just surviving.
She is learning from senior players like Grace Harris and Richa Ghosh.
Gautami had a quick journey to the WPL and is excited to play with top international talent.
She aims to score runs and help her team win matches.
Both players are working hard to improve their skills and make a strong impact in the league.
Prathyoosha Kumar aims to play with intent rather than survival in WPL 2026.
Gautami Naik's rapid rise to the WPL includes playing for Ratnagiri Jets and impressing RCB scouts.
Prathyoosha is practicing innovative shots and learning professionalism from senior players.
Gautami is focused on making runs and contributing to RCB's success in the WPL.
Both players are adapting to the higher level of competition and learning from their teammates.
- Who
- Prathyoosha Kumar and Gautami Naik, players for RCB
- What
- Their preparation and goals for the WPL 2026 season
- Where
- Bengaluru, India
- When
- Ahead of and during the WPL 2026 season
- Why
- To adapt to the higher level of competition and play with intent
Domestic Cricket
WPL
Competition Level
Domestic Cricket
Domestic cricket is competitive but not as intense as the WPL.
WPL
The WPL offers a higher level of competition with more senior players and better facilities.
Player Development
Domestic Cricket
Domestic cricket focuses on mindset and basic skills.
WPL
The WPL provides a platform for players to learn from international talent and improve their game.
Key facts
- Player 1
- Prathyoosha Kumar
- Player 2
- Gautami Naik
- Team
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
- Contract Value (Prathyoosha)
- Rs 10 lakh
- Primary Role (Prathyoosha)
- Wicketkeeper-batter
- Mentors (Prathyoosha)
- RX Murali, Arjun Dev
- Inspirations (Prathyoosha)
- Grace Harris, Richa Ghosh, Smriti Mandhana
- WPL Debut (Gautami)
- January 12, 2026
- Runs Scored (Gautami)
- 9 runs in 3 games
- Previous Team (Gautami)
- Ratnagiri Jets
- Current Status (Prathyoosha)
- Uncapped for RCB
Quotes
Gautami Naik
Batting all-rounder for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Women's Premier League (WPL)
“My journey started as a pacer, but I really liked batting. I used to go to my coach and would say, ‘I don't want to bowl, I just want to bat.’ That's when he said, ‘We'll develop your batting.’ I used to do hard hitting first. But after that, with my coach, I've worked so hard every day on myself for perfecting every shot. I would think, ‘How can I do better?’ I mean, I've improved my technique with small basic points. I liked hard hitting, and that's my game of playing aggressively. So my coach worked on me in such a way that he added everything to my game, technically, mentally, physically. He added everything I needed to become a player. Day by day, and every year, those changes kept coming. We kept working – like this year, we'll work on this shot or we'll work on our mentality or area-wise, where should I develop? What is my strength and what can I do better? He kept adding all those things to my batting. Then, day by day, those improvements started coming as a result.”
thehansindia.com
“I was selected for the Maharashtra under-23 team. But I didn't get much chances – I got to play in the last match, which didn't go well. The Maharashtra senior women's team was packed and I didn't see any other options. So, my friend, Poonam Khemnar (currently in Mumbai Indians), came to play in the Nagaland team as a guest player (along with Kiran Navgire, who is in UP Warriorz). She suggested my name to play there. I didn't have much experience in playing domestic cricket. But, after going there, I got to know the culture, as cricket had just started in the North-East and wasn't that developed. But, when we were playing there, the coaches and players had only one vision - to help the team qualify (for knockouts). We wanted to play as many good games as possible. I got chances there to work on my skill and fitness.”
thehansindia.com
