RCB Women Team. (Photo Source: RCB/Twitter)
The cricket carnival that is the Women’s Premier League (WPL), kicked off with a clash between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants on Saturday. However, all eyes will be on Smriti Mandhana’s Royal Challengers Bangalore, who are billed as the pre-tournament favourites, when they take on the Delhi Capitals on Sunday, March 5.
Although RCB boasts of a formidable line-up on paper, they won’t be taking anything for granted when they face off against Delhi Capitals in their campaign opener. There is an air of expectation surrounding the Bangalore-based franchise, and it will be interesting to see if they can live up to it.
Here’s Royal Challengers Bangalore’s predicted XI for the match against Delhi Capitals:
Openers – Smriti Mandhana (c), Sophie Devine
Royal Challengers Bangalore have two of the very best in the business opening the batting for them at the top of the order. If the pair of Smriti Mandhana and Sophie Devine live up to their usual high standards, it can turn out to be a memorable tournament for the Women in Red and Gold.
Skipper Smriti Mandhana is coming into the tournament on the back of a disappointing T20 World Cup exit at the hands of the eventual winners Australia. She will be looking to hit the ground running with veteran New Zealand opener Sophie Devine when they square off against the Delhi Capitals.
Middle order – Ellyse Perry, Heather Knight, Richa Ghosh (wk)
If the openers do not get you, ICC’s women’s cricketer of the decade, Ellyse Perry, will most definitely smash the bowlers around in the middle overs. The veteran Aussie all-rounder will be eyeing another feather in her illustrious cap after winning her sixth T20 World Cup title with Australia last month.
England skipper Heather Knight will be entrusted with holding the innings together in the middle overs, given her exploits in the shortest format of the game. With powerful hitters all around her, the 32-year-old will be required to use all her experience during crunch situations for her team.
India’s T20 World Cup campaign might’ve ended in disappointment but they have unearthed an absolute superstar in 19-year-old dasher Richa Ghosh. The swashbuckling batter will be looking to stamp her authority in the inaugural edition of the tournament, nailing her spot in the national team.
All-rounders – Kanika Ahuja, Poonam Khemnar
While the Royal Challengers Bangalore boasts of a formidable team on paper, their lower middle order could prove to be their Achilles heal. They don’t have any international pedigree and will be relying on Kanika Ahuja and Poonam Khemnar to do the job down the order.
The young offie Kanika Ahuja has been impressive with her all-round abilities on the domestic front but will have to up her game in an unforgiving competition. Meanwhile, Poonam Khemnar has got a bit more experience under her belt and will be looking to impress in the upcoming tournament.
Bowlers – Sahana Pawar, Renuka Singh, Megan Schutt, Komal Zanzad
Much like the batting order, RCB have got two of the most talented new ball bowlers, Renuka Singh and Megan Schutt, opening the bowling for them. The two searing pacers will also have assistance from left-arm spinner Sahana Pawar and veteran left-arm medium pacer Komal Zanzad.
While Renuka is one of the most sought-after new ball bowlers in the women’s division, Australia’s Megan Schutt has been around the block for a while and is the third leading wicket-takers in T20Is with 124 scalps to her name. The 30-year-old was one of the star performers for her side’s T20 World Cup triumph in South Africa and will be looking to replicate the same in the inaugural edition of the WPL.
Royal Challengers Bangalore playing XI: Smriti Mandhana (c), Sophie Devine, Ellyse Perry, Heather Knight, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kanika Ahuja, Poonam Khemnar, Sahana Pawar, Renuka Singh, Megan Schutt, Komal Zanzad.