2025 ODI World Cup winner Arundhati Reddy was signed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs. 75 lakh at the WPL Auction 2026 in New Delhi on Thursday.

Ahead of the mega auction, Arundhati had not been retained by Delhi Capitals, but the franchise moved in straightaway at Rs. 30 lakh for the medium-pacer who had represented it from 2023 to 2025, raising the possibility of a reunion. Royal Challengers Bengaluru soon entered the bidding as well, setting up a two-team contest.

Gujarat Giants briefly joined the fray as a third bidder and helped push the price to Rs. 75 lakh alongside RCB before stepping out. With Giants out of the running, RCB closed the deal, reuniting Arundhati with close associates Smriti Mandhana and Radha Yadav in red and gold.

While Arundhati did not break into India’s playing XI during the World Cup campaign, she made her presence felt whenever called upon as a substitute fielder. Her full-length diving catch to dismiss Sharmin Akhter in India’s final league game against Bangladesh stood out as a highlight moment.

Published on Nov 27, 2025