Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the defending champions, are eager to secure a victory in front of their home crowd against Delhi Capitals this Saturday. This match is crucial as it’s their last home game before the Women’s Premier League proceeds to Lucknow for its next stage. RCB started WPL season three strongly with two wins in Vadodara, but since moving to their home ground at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, they’ve faced a downturn. They have suffered three consecutive defeats, including a Super Over loss to UP Warriorz, putting them in a difficult position.
Currently third in the league table and yet to win at home, RCB urgently needs to rebound. They face a Delhi Capitals team that will be playing their second game in two days before heading to Lucknow.
Delhi Capitals, led by Meg Lanning, will have limited time to recover as they are scheduled to play against Mumbai Indians, who are at the top of the table, on Friday, just before their match with RCB.
RCB’s struggles are evident in both their batting and bowling performances. Their batting lineup faltered in their recent defeat to Gujarat Giants. The form of captain Smriti Mandhana is a significant concern. Her innings of 81 against DC remains her only high score in five matches, indicating a continued vulnerability against spin bowling.
Her opening partner, Danni Wyatt-Hodge from England, has also been inconsistent. Australian veteran Ellyse Perry, despite generally being in excellent form, had a rare setback with a duck in the WPL match against Gujarat Giants.
The bowling department has been equally disappointing. Key fast bowlers Renuka Singh and Kim Garth have lacked consistency, often struggling with their accuracy.
Spin bowlers Georgia Wareham, Ekta Bisht, and Kanika Ahuja have found it challenging to control the crucial middle overs, further adding to RCB’s difficulties.
Delhi Capitals have also had an inconsistent season, experiencing two losses amidst three victories. Their batting lineup is starting to perform better, with Shafali Verma and Jess Jonassen finding their form.
However, captain Lanning is still facing challenges at the top of the order. Jemimah Rodrigues and Annabel Sutherland have shown glimpses of power-hitting in the middle order, but Delhi Capitals need more consistent batting performances overall.
With bowlers like Shikha Pandey, Marizanne Kapp, young Titas Sadhu, Sutherland, and Minnu Mani, DC possesses a strong bowling attack, making them a formidable opponent despite their inconsistencies.
Teams:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Smriti Mandhana (c), Kanika Ahuja, Ekta Bisht, Charlie Dean, Kim Garth, Richa Ghosh (wk), Heather Graham, VJ Joshitha, Sabbhineni Meghana, Nuzhat Parween, Jagravi Pawar, Ellyse Perry, Raghvi Bist, Sneh Rana, Prema Rawat, Renuka Singh, Georgia Wareham, Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
Delhi Capitals: Meg Lanning (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Sneha Deepthi, Alice Capsey, Annabel Sutherland, Arundhati Reddy, Jess Jonassen, Marizanne Kapp, Minnu Mani, N Charani, Niki Prasad, Radha Yadav, Shikha Pandey, Nandini Kashyap (wk), Taniyaa Bhatia (wk), Sarah Bryce (wk), Titas Sadhu.
