New Delhi: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have made a big move ahead of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 as they have traded England opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge from the UP Warriorz. The England batter, who is known for her swashbuckling approach in the shortest format, will play for Smriti Mandhana-led RCB next season.
Wyatt joined UP Warriorz for Rs 30 lakh at the WPL 2024 auction last year. However, she didn’t get a chance to play for the team and was left warming the bench. The England batter will now join the reigning WPL champions for the existing sum of Rs 30 lakh and will look to make her debut in the tournament for them next season.
Alyssa Healy-led UP Warriorz had finished 4th in WPL 2024, failing to make it to the playoffs. The franchise are planning to rejig their squad ahead of the new season and have hence decided to part ways with Wyatt. Wyatt will now reunite with Mandhana at RCB. The duo opens for Southern Brave in the Women’s Hundred and are likely to open for RCB in the WPL now.
“Danielle is a game-changer and a phenomenal athlete. Her skills and competitive spirit align perfectly with our team’s vision. We are excited to welcome her to the RCB and look forward to the energy she will bring to the squad,” Mandhana said on Wyatt joining RCB.
Dani Wyatt’s numbers in T20s
Wyatt has so far played 164 T20Is for England and has 2979 runs to her name at an average of over 22 and a strike rate of 127.85, including 2 hundreds and 16 fifties. She has also picked up 46 wickets for England in T20Is.
Wyatt has also enjoyed success in the Women’s Big Bash League and the Women’s Hundred. She has played 69 matches in the WBBLL and has 1626 runs to her name at an average of over 26 and a strike rate of 115.81. In the Women’s Hundred, Wyatt has 907 runs in 34 matches at a strike rate of 134.17.
Wyatt’s addition will strengthen RCB’s batting line-up in the WPL and will give them more flexibility, allowing them to use Mandhana and her as openers. Sophie Devine, who used to open with Mandhana, might slot into the middle order for the team.
