“Team Balance Has Improved”: RCB Captain Smriti Mandhana Ahead Of WPL 2024 | Cricket News

Star India batter and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Smriti Mandhana stated that forward of the brand new season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), the steadiness of the workforce has improved and the workforce hopes to dwell as much as its potential. The second season of WPL will begin from February 23 and can go on until March 17, happening in Bengaluru and Delhi. Last time round, RCB couldn’t ship fantastic performances regardless of having large names like Ellyse Perry, Heather Knight, Mandhana, Sophie Devine, Megan Schutt and Renuka Thakur within the squad, successful simply two out of their eight matches and never qualifying for playoffs.

In a dialog with JioCinema and Sports18 WPL professional Reema Malhotra, within the present titled ‘TATA WPL 2024 Huddle’, RCB skipper Mandhana, her teammate Renuka Singh Thakur spoke of their expectations from the second version of the league.

Smriti Mandhana, captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore stated: “I would definitely want it to be better than the first season. From RCB’s point of view, quite a few players were released and we brought in new players. So, the balance has improved for sure, and we are hoping to live up to our potential. Playing in the domestic season helped me practice well and we saw quite a few girls against whom we have not played previously. I was able to recommend a few names to my franchise after seeing these girls.”

“Last year, when we joined the team two days before the tournament, we did not know about 90 per cent of the players. We did not know what they did and what they did not. This year, it was important to know their strengths and weaknesses so that we can play better. The WPL is a short tournament and it’s difficult to change things when it’s on,” she added.

On whether or not RCB are title contender, Mandhana stated that the facet doesn’t need to assume too far forward however is motivated to do higher this time.

“The people at our franchise are very nice and have supported us immensely, so more than anything else, we want to win the trophy for them. The way they backed us even after four losses last season, the conversation revolved around our well-being. So, as players, it is very important that we respect the backing we are getting, and also try to win the trophy for our fans who supported us so much last season,” she added.

Mandhana admitted that she didn’t ship as per expectations final season, scoring simply 149 runs in eight matches at a mean of simply over 18. Her greatest rating was 37.

“This time, I do not want to repeat the mistakes of last year and give the team a platform from where we can launch. Our batting line-up is very good. As a captain, I know the players better this time,” she added.

Even RCB pacer Renuka stated that her efficiency was not up to speed final 12 months (taking only one wicket in six video games) and the workforce and captain backed her.

“Last year my performance was not up to the mark, and I was wondering where this problem lay. The RCB team and the captain backed me whole-heartedly. In fact, I had given up, but they backed me. This time, I would not want to let them down and am confident of doing well. Last year, I think, I lacked that confidence because of the back injury,” stated the pacer.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (WPL 2024)

Squad power: 18 (6 abroad)

Players purchased: Georgia Wareham (Rs 40 lakh), Kate Cross (Rs 30 lakh), Ekta Bisht (Rs 60 lakh), Shubha Satheesh (Rs 10 lakh), S Meghana (Rs 30 lakh), Simran Bahadur (Rs 30 lakh), Sophie Molineux (Rs 30 lakh)

Full squad: Asha Shobana, Disha Kasat, Ellyse Perry, Heather Knight, Indrani Roy, Kanika Ahuja, Renuka Singh, Richa Ghosh, Shreyanka Patil, Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Devine, Georgia Wareham, Kate Cross, Ekta Bisht, Shubha Satheesh, S Meghana, Simran Bahadur, Sophie Molineux.

(This story has been edited by Mahaz News workers …)