‘NAMMA CAPTAIN’ – Virat Kohli announces Smriti Mandhana as the captain of Bangalore franchise for Women’s T20 League

Indian batter Smriti Mandhana turned out to be the most expensive player in the Women’s T20 League auction after the Bangalore franchise bought her for INR 3.40 crore in the 2023 auction. Now, the 26-year-old has been appointed as the skipper of the side for the inaugural season.

The Franchise shared a video on its social media featuring former skipper Virat Kohli and the current captain Faf du Plessis, who announced Mandhana as the captain of the Bangalore Women’s team and wished her all the luck for the upcoming season.

From one No. 18 to another, from one skipper to another, Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis announce RCB’s captain for the Women’s Premier League – Smriti Mandhana. #PlayBold #WPL2023 #CaptainSmriti @mandhana_smriti pic.twitter.com/sqmKnJePPu

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) February 18, 2023

“Leading Bangalore for over the last decade has been a very enjoyable and a memorable phase of my career. A captain isn’t just the leader of the group. He is someone who creates the culture and carries that legacy forward by earning the respect of everyone around him,” said Kohli in an announcement video.

“Now it’s time for another Number 18 to lead a very special Bangalore team in the Women’s T20 League. Yes, we are talking about Smriti Mandhana. Go well Smriti, you will have the support of the best team and the best fans in the World,” the former skipper further added.

Du Plessis also acknowledged Mandhana as the skipper and said that she has all the attributes to lead a team. “It’s been a great couple of months for Bangalore. Firstly, getting a women’s T20 league team, then also assembling a really strong squad at the auction. And now it’s time to reveal the first women’s captain of Bangalore for this year’s women’s T20 league,” said the Bangalore skipper.

“I am very confident that our women’s captain has all the attributes to lead Bangalore. All the very best Smriti Mandhana. See you at the games.” he further added.

‘I promise you to give my 100 per cent to lead Bangalore’ – Mandhana

Reacting to the announcement of her being appointed as a captain, Mandhana thanked the franchise for giving her this opportunity and asserted that she would give her 100 per cent to bring glory to the franchise.

“It’s such a great feeling to see Virat and Faf speak so much about leading Bangalore. I would like to thank the management for giving me this amazing opportunity. I am looking forward to receiving all the love and support from you fans who I am told are the best in the world. And I promise you to give my 100 per cent to lead Bangalore to success in the Women’s T20 League,” said Mandhana.

The inaugural season of the Women’s T20 League will kickstart on March 4 and go till March 26 with five franchises from Gujarat, Bangalore, Mumbai, UP, and Lucknow.

Let’s look at how Twitter reacted to the news of Mandhana being appointed as Bangalore’s captain

Captain Smriti Mandhana ❤️

Slightly a little reason to support RCB in #WPL

— Coverdrive (@coverdrive04) February 18, 2023

https://twitter.com/RamThirthahalli/status/1626790743179415552

Congrats to Queen smriti mandhana on becoming RCB's captain ♥️ pic.twitter.com/nW1R2L1vGA

— Simmu✨ (@meownces) February 18, 2023

!!CAPTAIN SMRITI MANDHANA!!#PlayBold pic.twitter.com/yiOprJbNHW

— Feayaanshu Dhull (@noogodplsnoo) February 18, 2023

https://twitter.com/jemi_smriti_fan/status/1626792797213962240

https://twitter.com/kohlixshruzz/status/1626803429325807617

https://twitter.com/Yuvan_1409/status/1626804326713954304

CAPTAIN OF RCB WOMENS TEAM
SMRITI MANDHANA ✨️#SmritiMandhana @mandhana_smriti #RCB #WPL2023 #PlayBold @RCBTweets pic.twitter.com/vWPlfmJmtC

— DE VILLIERS 17 ᴸᵘᵛ ʸᵒᵘ ᴬᴮ✨️ (@Abderanjith_17) February 18, 2023

https://twitter.com/NainaS771/status/1626790514082332674