The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) announced on Wednesday that they have hired Indian tennis legend Sania Mirza as their coach for the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2023.
The franchise believes Sania, a six-time Grand Slam winner, is a perfect fit for the RCB Play Bold philosophy.
"Athletes are made of the same stuff, whether they play cricket or tennis: they are fiercely competitive, they love their sport, and they face pressure situations in their game. Sania Mirza has done just that for the past 20 years, winning six Grand Slams and 43 WTA titles "RCB stated in a press release.
According to RCB, Sania's status as one of the leading role models for countless women prompted team management to bring her on board to motivate and encourage the women's team.
"It is an honour for me to serve as a mentor for the RCB women's team. Indian women's cricket has seen a tectonic shift with the Women's Premier League, and I am really looking forward to being a part of this revolutionary pitch. RCB and its brand philosophy perfectly align with my vision and outlook, as that is how I approached my playing career and how I envision contributing to sports after I retire "Sania stated.
"We are glad and honoured to welcome Sania Mirza as mentor of the RCB women's team. She is the perfect role model with her success stemming out of her sheer hard work, passion, and determination, despite many challenges in her playing career, "Menon stated.
"Sania is someone who our younger generation looks up to, and she can motivate and encourage our team because she has been an uber competitive player who understands how to overcome challenges and deal with pressure in a variety of situations at the highest level of sports. Her stature and gravitas as well as her attitude will inspire and bring the much needed panache to transform the team with a Bold Personality, "she added.
Earlier, during the WPL auction on Monday in Mumbai, RCB acquired a team comprised of 18 of the world's best and most talented players.
The franchise added notable international names to their squad, including Australia's all-rounder Ellyse Perry and medium pacer Megan Schutt, New Zealand's captain Sophie Devine, England's skipper Heather Knight, and South African all-rounder Dane Van Niekerk, as well as India under-19 star Richa Ghosh.