Sania Mirza Roped In As RCB’s Mentor: Royal Challengers Bangalore has been making many headlines off-lately, all thanks to their amazing outing at the recently-held inaugural auction of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in Mumbai. RCB impressed one and all by making some of the biggest signings at the event.
They first broke the bank to sign star Indian batter Smriti Mandhana for INR 3.4 crore, who turned out to be the most expensive buy in the WPL 2023 auction. RCB then bought the services of Australia’s Ellyse Perry after acquiring the services of Indian vice-captain Mandhana.
RCB named Sania Mirza as their mentor:
However, now after acquiring the services of some of the most talented players around the world, Royal Challengers Bangalore has played a masterstroke move as they have roped in ace Tennis star Sania Mirza as their mentor.
Yes, on Wednesday, Sania Mirza, who will play her final professional tournament in Dubai this month, will be part of the RCB franchise as a mentor.
Notably, Sania has a close connection with cricket as she is married to former Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, who is still an active cricketer.
RCB via their official Twitter handle shared a video to confirm the news of Mirza joining the team ahead of the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League as a mentor. Sharing the video, RCB wrote:
“The pioneer in Indian sports for women, a youth icon, someone who has played Bold and broken barriers throughout her career, and a champion on and off the field. We are proud to welcome Sania Mirza as the mentor of the RCB women’s cricket team. #PlayBold @MirzaSania.”
In the video, Sania Mirza expressed her excitement. She said that she was quite surprised when she was approached for the role by the franchise, but at the same time was really excited.
Watch the video here:
The pioneer in Indian sports for women, a youth icon, someone who has played Bold and broken barriers throughout her career, and a champion on and off the field. We are proud to welcome Sania Mirza as the mentor of the RCB women’s cricket team. 🤩#PlayBold @MirzaSania pic.twitter.com/eMOMU84lsC
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 15, 2023
In another post, Royal Challengers Bangalore welcomed Sania in the RCB camp. RCB wrote:
“While our coaching staff handle the cricket side of things, we couldn’t think of anyone better to guide our women cricketers about excelling under pressure. Join us in welcoming the mentor of our women’s team, a champion athlete and a trailblazer! Namaskara, Sania Mirza! 🙏”
While our coaching staff handle the cricket side of things, we couldn’t think of anyone better to guide our women cricketers about excelling under pressure.
Join us in welcoming the mentor of our women's team, a champion athlete and a trailblazer! 🙌
Namaskara, Sania Mirza! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/r1qlsMQGTb
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 15, 2023
Meanwhile, the fans were left in shock after the big move by the Bangalore-based franchise and came up with different reactions. There were many who came up with hilarious memes and jokes, while reacting to the news.
Check out some of the hilarious memes we found on Twitter:
— Godman Chikna (@Madan_Chikna) February 15, 2023
Scene from the dressing room: pic.twitter.com/KWArnAQ3Ln
— Peaky Balvinder (@peaky_balvinder) February 15, 2023
— S. Gracias Rafa (@write2Swag) February 15, 2023
https://twitter.com/vipintiwari952_/status/1625712500393250816?s=20&t=02asmVC6oxmxisNfX34V1A
— Nikhil Aggarwal (@nikhil__98) February 15, 2023
https://twitter.com/Nithi_007/status/1625717961435783169?s=20&t=02asmVC6oxmxisNfX34V1A
Players:How to hit a perfect cover drive?
Sania mirza : pic.twitter.com/YBJTc8RX8s— cricket wala ladka (@cricketwalaldka) February 15, 2023
Wimbledon premier league? pic.twitter.com/nBtgT2LomN
— Akas__h (@And_or_not_Gate) February 15, 2023
Tennis player Sania Mirza appointed as the mentor for women cricket team#RCB #WPLAuction pic.twitter.com/Yj5Mlu0S2V
— Abhishek Kumar (@iamabhishekk005) February 15, 2023
Rcb- Kisi bhi field se uthalo bas ladkiya sundar honi chahiye…. pic.twitter.com/6ah18N5Ag3
— Gaurav (@SportsFreakhu) February 15, 2023
RCB’s squad for WPL 2023:
- Smriti Mandhana (INR 3.4 crore)
- Sophie Devine (INR 50 lakh)
- Ellyse Perry (INR 1.7 crore)
- Renuka Singh (INR 1.5 crore)
- Richa Ghosh (INR 1.9 crore)
- Erin Burns (INR 30 lakh)
- Disha Kasat (INR 10 lakh)
- Indrani Roy (INR 10 lakh)
- Shreyanka Patil (INR 10 lakh)
- Kanika Ahuja (35 lakh)
- Asha Shobana (INR 10 lakh)
- Heather Knight (INR 40 lakh)
- Dane van Niekerk (INR 30 lakh)
- Preeti Bose (INR 30 lakh)
- Poonam Khemnar (INR 10 lakh)
- Komal Zanzad (INR 25 lakh)
- Megan Schutt (INR 40 lakh)
- Sahana Pawar (INR 10 lakh)