What makes Lauren Bell RCB’s new obsession? Numbers, impact and fan frenzy explained

England pacer Lauren Bell turns RCB’s new crowd-puller with deadly bowling, powerplay dominance and massive fan following growth in WPL.

Whether it is the IPL or the WPL, one thing remains constant, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s fan base turns every star into a sensation. This season, that spotlight firmly rests on England pacer Lauren Bell, who has become RCB’s newest talking point both on and off the field.

At just 25 years of age, Bell has quickly captured attention with her sharp bowling, calm presence and striking on-field appeal. Fans have openly hailed her as the “new crush” of the RCB fan community, with social media flooded with praise whenever she takes the field.

The admiration is not without reason. In the current season, Bell has bowled 20 overs across five matches, delivering an astonishing 74 dot balls, which translates to 12.2 overs without conceding a run. With the BCCI’s initiative of planting 50 saplings per dot ball, Bell has indirectly contributed to the planting of 3,700 trees, triggering light-hearted chatter among fans about naming her the “brand ambassador of Cubbon Park”.

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Bell has also made a significant impact during the powerplay, traditionally considered a batter-dominated phase. She has bowled 14 overs in powerplay, picked up five wickets, and maintained a remarkable 75% dot-ball percentage, delivering early blows to opposition teams.

Her growing influence is clearly visible online. Before joining RCB, Bell had around 1.5 lakh Instagram followers. After being picked at the auction and playing her first match, her following surged rapidly. Within 24 hours of her debut, she gained over one lakh followers. Today, her Instagram following stands at 1.8 million (18 lakh).

With Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry unavailable this season, there were concerns that RCB’s fan excitement might dip. However, Bell’s arrival has filled that void seamlessly, with fans embracing her performances and personality alike.

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If Lauren Bell continues this form in the remaining matches, her popularity is expected to grow even further, cementing her place as one of RCB’s biggest fan attractions this season.

Sports Bureau

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