WPL 2023: Match 19 RCB-W vs MI-W Preview, Playing XI, Live Streaming Details & Updates

Mumbai Indians. (Photo Source: Twitter/WPL)

After suffering an embarrassing defeat at the hands of Delhi Capitals in their last game, Mumbai Indians for the first time in the season dropped down to second on the points table. Now, in order to qualify for the finals of the competition, the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side will have to defeat Royal Challengers Bangalore by a huge margin on March 21 at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.

Things will not be easy, however. There are a lot of issues that the franchise needs to address immediately but there isn’t enough time left. After winning five in a row, the side suffered two defeats on the trot and that has left a huge question mark on the ability of both batters and bowlers. Notably, a certain section of the experts has also questioned whether the team have become complacent or not.

Thus, ahead of their clash against RCB, MI are under a lot of pressure but will be hoping to get things done and qualify for the finals. Else, they will have to play in the Eliminator. When it comes to Bangalore, the team failed to qualify for the playoffs in the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL). The franchise signed some of the top-quality players in the WPL auction but it took them a lot of time to gel and prove themselves on the field.

Notably, after losing five straight matches, RCB finally won their first game of the season against UP Warriorz. They also defeated Gujarat Giants in their previous match because of which, they were in the race to qualify for the playoffs but with UP’s win over MI in the last match, RCB were eliminated from the race. Thus, in their final game of the season, Bangalore will hope to enjoy their time in the middle and give their fans one last hurrah. They will also have the opportunity to upset Mumbai and help Delhi directly qualify for the finals.

Pitch and Conditions

The pitch at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai will help the batters post a huge total on the board. Since it’s a day game, bowling first will be ideal and anything above 175 will be a good score on this pitch.

Probable Playing XI for RCB-W vs MI-W

Royal Challengers Bangalore Women

Since they are already eliminated from the competition, RCB can think of twisting their team and giving others an opportunity to express themselves. Dane van Niekerk is one such player that the franchise can think of bringing in for the final game of the season. The 29-year-old recently retired from international cricket and has a lot of experience in this format.

Probable Playing XI: Sophie Devine, Smriti Mandhana (c), Ellyse Perry, Dane van Niekerk, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kanika Ahuja, Shreyanka Patil, Disha Kasat, Megan Schutt, Asha Shobana, Preeti Bose

Mumbai Indians Women

Mumbai Indians are very unlikely to make any changes to their squad for the match against Bangalore. However, the franchise will keep a close eye on the bowling unit, as they have failed to fire in the last couple of games.

Probable Playing XI: Hayley Matthews, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Amelia Kerr, Issy Wong, Pooja Vastrakar, Amanjot Kaur, Humaira Kazi, Jintimani Kalita, Saika Ishaque

RCB-W vs MI-W Head to Head

Played – 1 Royal Challengers Bangalore – 0