BANGALORE: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team has roped in tennis star Sania Mirza as its mentor for the forthcoming Women's Premier League. "It is a pleasure for me to join the RCB women's team as a mentor," the winner of six Grand Slam said in a statement issued by RCB.
Mirza said in a statement released by the team that "Indian women's cricket has undergone a tectonic shift with the Women's Premier League, and I am greatly looking forward to being a part of this innovative pitch."
"RCB and its brand concept completely align with my vision and mindset because that is how I approached my playing career and how I envision contributing to sports after I retire.
"Over the years, RCB has been a well-liked and closely followed squad in the IPL. I'm overjoyed to see them putting together a squad for the Women's Premier League.
She said, "It will help make sports the first job choice for young girls and young parents with a female kid, and it will drive women's sports to new heights in the nation, create new doors for women cricketers, and more."
After finishing second in the mixed doubles competition with her partner Rohan Bopanna at the Australian Open earlier this year, Mirza announced her retirement from the sport.
She has stated that the ATP Dubai Open later this month will serve as her final competition before joining the brand.
Rajesh V. Menon, head and vice president of RCB, commented on Mirza's appointment as mentor, saying, "We are happy and honoured to welcome Sania Mirza as mentor of the RCB women's team. She is the ideal role model since, despite several obstacles in her playing career, she overcame them all through sheer hard work, enthusiasm, and drive.
"Sania is someone our young generation looks up to and she can motivate, encourage our squad since she has been an uber-competitive player who understands how to overcome problems and handle pressure at various scenarios at the highest level of sports," said one of the younger generation.
During the WPL auction on Monday in Mumbai, RCB acquired 18 players, including some notable women's cricket players like Smriti Mandhana, Australia's Ellyse Perry and medium pacer Megan Schutt, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine, England skipper Heather Knight, and South African all-rounder Dane Van Niekerk along with India's top under-19 player Richa.
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