Indian tennis icon Sania Mirza, who played her last Grand Slam at the Australian Open last month, was roped in by the Royal Challengers Bangalore team as their mentor in the inaugural 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 and 43 WTA titles said in an RCB statement.

“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,” Mirza said in a statement issued by the franchise.

“RCB and its brand philosophy perfectly resonates with my vision and outlook as that’s how I have approached my playing career and it’s also how I see contributing to sports post my retirement.

“RCB has been a popular team and much followed team in the IPL over the years. I am immensely happy to see them building a team for the Women’s Premier League...

“It will push the women’s sports to new heights in the country, open new doors to women cricketers and help make sports the first career choice for young girls and young parents with a girl child,” she added.

Mirza retired from the sport after the Australian Open earlier this year, where she and her partner Rohan Bopanna finished runners-up in the mixed doubles event.

Mirza retired from the sport after the Australian Open earlier this year, where she and her partner Rohan Bopanna finished runners-up where she and her partner Rohan Bopanna finished runners-up