On March 4, the Women’s Premier League (WPL) launched its first season with a bang. Fans have been treated to some remarkable cricket performances, but unfortunately, one of the most popular teams in the league, Royal Challengers Bangalore, has not enjoyed a successful start to their campaign, having suffered two consecutive defeats. In this article, we will explore 3 reasons why RCB can win WPL 2023.
Despite their disappointing start, the Bangalore franchise boasts a range of top-notch players who have the potential to set the WPL 2023 ablaze with their skills and turn the team’s fortunes around. Smriti Mandhana and her teammates have what it takes to go all the way in the T20 extravaganza, and here are three reasons why RCB Women could emerge as winners of the inaugural WPL season.
Reasons why RCB can win WPL 2023
Smriti Mandhana: The Match-Winning Ace Batter
India has produced numerous match-winners in cricket, but few can match the caliber of Smriti Mandhana. With her swashbuckling stroke play, Mandhana has stamped her authority on the cricket field and annihilated bowlers.
Mandhana has played in 77 ODIs and scored 3073 runs at a strike rate of 83.91. In the shortest format, she has represented India 116 times and scored 2802 runs at a strike rate of 123.87.
In the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2023, Mandhana was simply sensational. She put the opposition’s bowlers under immense pressure and smashed 151 runs in four games at a strike rate of 138.53.
When Mandhana is in form, she is an absolute nightmare for the opposition’s bowlers. She has repeatedly proven her mettle on the international stage, and her performances could take Royal Challengers Bangalore to glory in WPL 2023.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: A Team with a Wealth of Experience
Experience has been a crucial factor in big tournaments, where established performers have a better chance of succeeding under pressure. Royal Challengers Bangalore understands this and has stacked their team with players who bring a wealth of experience to the side. Hence, this is one of the reasons why RCB can win WPL 2023.
The Bangalore franchise boasts veteran cricketers such as Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine, Heather Knight, Dane van Niekerk, and Megan Schutt in their arsenal. These bankable names in world cricket have left the cricket fraternity in awe of their exploits on the cricket field over the years.
In addition, these seasoned cricketers would help maintain a sense of calm in the dressing room and assist the younger players in thriving under pressure in the T20 extravaganza. Furthermore, players like Devine, Knight, and van Niekerk have already demonstrated their captaincy credentials on the big stage. Thus, their presence will be a massive help to RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana in leading the team.
Royal Challengers Bangalore: The Team with a Potent Fast Bowling Arsenal
Why RCB can win is subjected to that the team boasts an impressive depth of fast-bowling stocks, which could prove to be a game-changer in the WPL 2023. The team includes India’s premier pacer, Renuka Singh Thakur, who has rattled batters with her swing and wreaked havoc with the ball. She has picked up 31 wickets in 32 T20Is at an impressive economy rate of 6.43.
Megan Schutt is another valuable addition to the Bangalore franchise. The Australian pacer has been a match-winner for her country across formats and has made a name for herself in world cricket. She has featured in 96 T20Is and bagged 124 wickets at an economy rate of 6.21.
Apart from Renuka and Schutt, RCB has fast-bowling all-rounders such as Ellyse Perry and Sophie Devine in their arsenal. The duo has been a strike force with the ball in the international circuit and can set the WPL 2023 ablaze with their exceptional bowling displays.
With such a potent fast bowling arsenal, Bangalore’s opponents will have a tough time tackling the pace quartet in the ongoing marquee tournament.
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