RCB hope to put the last year's struggles behind them [X.com]
The second game of Women's Premier League 2024 will see the face-off between Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz at the M. Chinnaswamy in Bengaluru.
The RCB will be striving to overcome last year's struggles, having just won just two games and losing six during the league stage to finish fourth. For the Warriorz, qualifying for the Eliminator clash versus the Delhi Capitals (DC) but losing would've reminded them off the areas they have to cover.
RCB vs UPW: Team Previews
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Despite a lacklustre campaign last summer, the RCB retained their core group of players, backing them to fulfill their talent and promise in the new season. The franchise retained senior overseas figures Ellyse Perry, Heather Knight, Sophie Devine apart from their Indian heroes Mandhana, Renuka Singh and Richa Ghosh. Unfortunately for RCB, Knight pulled out of the tournament due to her international commitments.
The franchise also had a decent outing at the mini-auction held ahead of WPL 2024 where they purchased Georgia Wareham (40 lakhs), Kate Cross (30 lakhs), Ekta Bisht (60 lakhs), Shubha Satheesh (10 lakh), S Meghana (30 lakh), Simran Bahadur (30 lakh), Sophie Molineux (10 lakh).
UP Warriorz
Qualifying past the league stage would've been a huge boost for the Warriorz, who also retained their strong core of players while still refining the squad with the influx of new, promising signings at the WPL 2024 auction.
Healy's army retained veteran heads Deepti Sharma, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Sophie Ecclestone, and Tahlia McGrath apart from multiple young talents in a nice mix of youth and experience.
The Warriorz further bolstered their squad with the purchase of experienced England cricketer Danielle Wyatt at the auction after a bid worth INR 30 lakhs.
RCB vs UPW: Match Details & Live Streaming
| Match Details | |
|---|---|
| Date | February 24, 2024 |
| Venue | M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore |
| Timings | 7:30 PM IST |
| Broadcast & Live Streaming | Sports18, JioCinema app |
RCB vs UPW: Bangalore Pitch Report
Pitches at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore invariably range between flat, flatter and flattest, with its great true bounce and small boundary dimensions making it an ideal venue for batters to consistently hit the ball over the ropes. There is also a tendency for organisers of the WPL to further bring the ropes inside, as seen last season, which shall only result in a high-scoring venue, especially if the dew under lights further makes life tough for the bowlers.
RCB vs UPW: Probable Playing XIs
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Smriti Mandhana (c), Sophie Devine, Ellyse Perry, Nadine de Klerk, Indrani Roy, Richa Ghosh (wk), Shreyanka Patil, Megan Schutt, Disha Kasat, Asha Shobhana, Preeti Bose
UP Warriorz: Shweta Sehrawat, Alyssa Healy (c & wk), Vrinda Dinesh, Kiran Navgire, Chamari Athapathtu, Tahlia McGrath, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Anjali Sarvani, Saima Thakor, Parshavi Chopra
RCB vs UPW: Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
| Roles | Players |
|---|---|
| Wicketkeepers | Alyssa Healy, Richa Ghosh |
| Batters | Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Devine, Shweta Sehrawat, Tahlia McGrath |
| Allrounders | Deepti Sharma, Ellyse Perry |
| Bowlers | Sophie Ecclestone, Megan Schutt, Shreyanka Patil |
| Captain | Smriti Mandhana |
| Vice-captain | Alyssa Healy |
RCB vs UPW: Winner Prediction
The Warriorz were the stronger of the two sides last season and managed to reach the next round above their RCB counterparts. They will take that confidence with them and start off this game as slight favourites.
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