Sports

WPL 2024: Blockbuster Clash as Hosts RCB Take on Reigning Champions MI

The highly anticipated match of the Bengaluru leg of the 2024 Women’s Premier League (WPL) between hosts Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Mumbai Indians (MI) will take place on Saturday at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. On a day when the bowling misfired and Ellyse Perry’s experience at bat in the middle order was much missed, the hosts lost to the Delhi Capitals by 25 runs, marking their first loss of the second season. There were a lot of encouraging things for RCB on Thursday, even with the loss. Smriti Mandhana, who looked magnificent against DC, controlled the powerplay virtually by herself with several daring shots to all areas of the field.

After replacing Perry, Nadine de Klerk showed promise with the ball in the middle overs. It would be intriguing to watch whether the RCB decides to include her in the starting lineup on Saturday. RCB needs to use the new ball more effectively than they did on Thursday to get an early advantage when bowling first or second. They also need to penetrate the MI batting lineup. Sabbhineni Meghana’s form has been extremely beneficial for the Royal Challengers, and on Saturday, her bat will once again be crucial to their hopes. To give middle-order batting more depth, the hosts will be able to push Richa Ghosh to five if Perry makes a comeback to the starting lineup. The Mumbai Indians enter the game fresh off their season’s first loss, a seven-wicket loss to UP Warriorz. In their most recent game, the defending champions had a significantly depleted team, choosing to rest fast bowler Shabnim Ismail and usual captain Harmanpreet Kaur due to niggles.

Head coach Charlotte Edwards stated after Wednesday’s defeat that Kaur should be ready for Saturday’s game, which should strengthen MI’s middle-order batting lineup. The defending champions will be looking to Saika Ishaque, a left-arm spinner, to provide a solid bowling performance to support players like Ismail, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Amelia Kerr. All three of RCB’s home games have drawn sold-out crowds to the Chinnaswamy Stadium, and this Saturday’s encounter between the women in blue, red, and gold looks to be no exception as they square off in an exciting match.

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When: September 9, Women’s Premier League 2024; Royal Challengers Bangalore against. Mumbai Indians

What time is it? March 2, 2024, 7:30 p.m. IST

Where: Bengaluru, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Likely Playing XIs

The team hoping to bolster their bowling and batting departments will have Ellyse Perry, an all-round player, recovering in time.

Richa Ghosh (wk), Ellyse Perry, Sophie Molineux, Sophie Devine, Simran Bahadur, Asha Sobhana, Renuka Thakur Singh, and Sabbhineni Meghana are the members of the RCB.

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