WPL: Sania Mirza Appointed team Mentor for Royal Challengers Bangalore

By: WE Staff | Wednesday, 15 February 2023

Royal Challengers Bangalore has appointed Sania Mirza as their coach for the first Women's Premier League (WPL), which will be held in Mumbai from March 4 to 26.

The team also disclosed that Australian Ben Sawyer had been hired as head coach. Ben, who currently serves as the head coach of the New Zealand Women, served as an assistant coach on Australia's Women's World Cup-winning team in 2017.

Former Tamil Nadu offspinner and chief talent scout Malolan Rangarajan has been appointed assistant coach, and former India batter VR Vanitha has been appointed fielding coach.

RX Murali has also joined the team as a strength coach. Having assisted in the training of various Karnataka players, Mayank Agarwal being one of the more well-known names in recent years, RX Murali has amassed an amazing body of work locally in Bengaluru.

Sania Mirza is "eager" to work with future Indian talent on the cerebral side of the game

After the completion of the ATP Dubai Open, which would be likely to be her final professional match, Sania, the very first Indian woman to win a significant title and the winner of six titles in women's doubles and combined doubles, is anticipated to join the team. The 36-year-old Sania decided to end her career in tennis ahead of the Australian Open when she and her partner Rohan Bopanna placed second in the mixed doubles.

When a mentorship position was offered, Sania said, "I was a little surprised, but I was extremely delighted." "I want to convince young females that sports may be one of their initial professional choices. I want to inspire the future generation to believe that they can succeed despite all the obstacles in their way."

Sania was especially excited about mentoring the younger Indian athletes and assisting them in handling pressure. She said, "I anticipate the opportunity to collaborate with the younger ladies on the mental component of it." "I believe I can contribute to mental stability and belief, and I can share the experiences I've experienced during my 20 years of playing. Although it has been isolating to be the one [Indian] woman working on it for so long, the strain has been great, and that kind of activity is something I can help with."

A star-studded lineup led by Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Sophie Devine, Dane van Niekerk, and Richa Ghosh was assembled by Royal Challengers for the opening auction.

On March 5, the second day of the competition, the team will face the Delhi Capitals at Brabourne Stadium in its WPL debut.