Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are set for another shake-up before the 2026 Women’s Premier League. According to an ESPNCricinfo report, former England seamer Anya Shrubsole is expected to join the franchise as bowling coach. I found the decision unsurprising but significant — a reflection of RCB’s bid to recalibrate after a middling campaign last season. Shrubsole, a 2017 ODI World Cup winner, will replace Sunetra Paranjape in the role. She will work with Tamil Nadu’s Malolan Rangarajan, who has been elevated to head coach following Luke Williams’ exit due to Big Bash League commitments with Adelaide Strikers. The scheduling conflict arose after WPL 2026 was advanced by a month, set to begin on January 8 and conclude in early February. Rangarajan’s promotion is rooted in his long association with RCB. He was part of the coaching group under Ben Sawyer and Mike Hesson in the inaugural season and later assisted Williams during the team’s successful 2025 campaign. R. Muralidhar and Navnita Gautam will continue as batting coach and head physio, respectively. Read also: Hong Kong Sixes 2025: Format, Teams, Schedule, and Live Streaming Details Who is Anya Shrubsole? A proven leader in English cricket Shrubsole’s inclusion marks her first coaching stint in the Women’s Premier League. She retired from international cricket in 2022 with over 200 wickets across formats. Soon after, she joined Southern Vipers in England’s domestic circuit, combining playing and assistant coaching duties under Charlotte Edwards. Known for her precision swing bowling and tactical clarity, Shrubsole was the architect of England’s 2017 World Cup triumph, claiming six wickets in the final against India. Her arrival adds experience to RCB’s bowling department, which faltered during critical moments last season. RCB’s leadership core remains intact, with Smriti Mandhana expected to continue as captain. The franchise also plans to retain Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh, Sophie Molineux, and Shreyanka Patil ahead of the 2026 retention deadline.