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With the eagerly awaited Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 just around the corner, many eyes are on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) as they seek redemption after finishing at the bottom second spot in the previous season. The team, led by the dynamic Smriti Mandhana, is gearing up for a fresh start, determined to make a mark in the upcoming tournament.
Royal Challengers Bangalore squad composure
While Smriti shoulders the responsibility of leading from the front, Heather Knight‘s departure sees Nadine de Klerk‘s arrival as the replacement, bringing her explosive prowess to the team. The team also boasts the likes of Sophie Devine, Ellyse Perry and Shreyanka Patil, forming a well-rounded and formidable squad.
Probable astute playing XI of RCB for WPL 2024:
1. Smriti Mandhana (C): Mandhana, RCB’s inspirational leader, notched up 149 runs in 8 innings last season. Her elegant stroke play and captaincy acumen make her the linchpin of the team, providing a steady hand at the top of the order.
2. Sophie Devine: The dynamic Kiwi all-rounder amassed a staggering 266 runs in 8 innings in the previous season. Devine’s explosive batting and ability to contribute with both bat and ball make her a crucial asset and the vice-captain of this formidable XI.
3. Ellyse Perry: A true all-rounder, Perry’s impactful performances included 253 runs and eight wickets in 8 innings last season. The Australian star will play a pivotal role in anchoring the middle order, combining solidity with her knack for taking crucial wickets.
4. Kanika Ahuja: With 98 runs in 7 innings last season, Ahuja has proven her mettle as a reliable batter capable of holding the innings together. Her skill in rotating the strike and stabilizing the middle order makes her a key figure in RCB’s batting lineup.
5. Richa Ghosh (WK): Ghosh, the astute wicket-keeper, showcased her batting prowess with 138 runs in 8 innings. Her ability behind the stumps and contributions with the bat provide the team with a reliable presence in the crucial wicket-keeping position.
6. Nadine de Klerk: The South African all-rounder, a fresh addition to the squad, brings explosiveness to the middle order. Known for her aggressive batting style, de Klerk adds a new dimension to RCB’s batting lineup, promising fireworks in WPL 2024.
7. Shreyanka Patil: A valuable all-rounder, Patil’s aggressive batting and handy off-spin bowling make her a multifaceted asset. With runs and wickets in 7 matches last season, Patil adds depth to both batting and bowling departments.
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8. Megan Schutt: Leading the bowling attack is the Australian juggernaut, Megan Schutt. Her experience and skill in swinging the ball will be crucial for RCB as she looks to spearhead the team’s bowling department with precision and guile.
9. Renuka Singh Thakur: A stalwart Indian seamer, Thakur’s impressive record of 39 wickets in 37 T20Is at a classy economy of 6.46 underscores her effectiveness. Her ability to pick up wickets and control the run rate makes her an invaluable asset to the team.
10. Preeti Bose: The promising left-arm spinner, Bose, showcased her talent with three wickets in 6 matches last season. Her ability to turn the ball and provide breakthroughs will be crucial for RCB’s spin department.
11. Asha Shobhna: With five wickets in 5 matches for RCB, Shobhna adds depth to the bowling attack. Her ability to bowl in pressure situations makes her a valuable option to round off the playing XI, completing a well-balanced and astute lineup for her franchise in WPL 2024.
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
