WPL 2023 | RCB-W vs DC-W: Match Preview, Prediction, Live Streaming, Fantasy Tips
Lanning to lead DC [Twitter]
Two special teams will square off against each other in a mouth-watering WPL contest. Yes, I am talking about Smriti Mandhana's Royal Challengers Bangalore and Meg Lanning's Delhi Capitals.
How the two teams fare!
When the auction for the inaugural edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL) took place in February, RCB created a star-studded team, boasted with world-class players across departments. Led by Smriti Mandhana, the franchise bought players like Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine, Renuka Singh Thakur, Richa Ghosh, and Heather Knight in their ranks.
On paper, they have the strongest side in the tournament, but battles are not won on paper, they are won on the battlefield, and RCB have to prove their worth to the world.
The men's team have been eluded with the coveted IPL trophy, but Smriti Mandhana will hope that she can lead her side to the glory in her maiden attempt. Spin department is the only cause of worry for RCB, but the overall structure is quite impressive.
On the other hand, Delhi Capitals have a balanced squad as well. World Champion, Meg Lanning has been appointed their skipper and her experience at the international level will be crucial for her side.
They have a destructive opener in Shafali Verma, one of the best accumulators in Jemimah Rodrigues, and a young gun in Titas Sadhu. Lanning has a tough job on her hands, but if anyone can help the Capitals clinch the WPL title, it has to be Meg Lanning.
Match Details
Date and Time: March 5, 3:30 PM IST
Venue: Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai
Live Streaming/Telecast: Sports18, Jio Cinema
Pitch Report
The pitch generally at the Brabourne Stadium is a batting friendly track. The last three international matches, played between India women and Australia women at this venue have been high-scoring, so expect a run feast tomorrow. Bowlers will find it hard on this surface.
Probable XI
RCB-W: Smriti Mandhana (c), Sophie Devine, Ellyse Perry, Heather Knight, Richa Ghosh (w), Disha Kasat, Shreyanka Patil, Kanika Ahuja, Poonam Khemnar, M Schutt, Renuka Singh Thakur
DC-W: Shafali Verma, Alice Capsey, Meg Lanning (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Marizanne Kapp, Taniya Bhatia (w), Jess Jonassen, Shikha Pandey, Radha Yadav, Arundhati Reddy, Titas Sadhu
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Keepers: Richa Ghosh
Batters: Smriti Mandhana, Meg Lanning, Sophie Devine, Jemimah Rodrigues
All-Rounders: Marizanne Kapp, Ellyse Perry
Bowlers: Megan Schutt, Renuka Singh Thakur, Shikha Pandey, Jess Jonassen
Captain: Sophie Devine
Vice-Captain: Meg Lanning
Prediction
First game for both the sides, but expect RCB to trounce over the Capitals. RCB have a strong squad, and they should win this comfortably.
 "Anurag Dasgupta")
