WPL 2023 | RCB-W vs GG-W: Preview, Pitch Report, Live Score, Fantasy Tips
Gujarat Giants managed to outclass Delhi Capitals in a crucial encounter (Twitter/wplt20)
RCB’s first win of the league and Gujarat closing out a thriller against Delhi have opened up the points table. With qualification scenarios becoming interesting, RCB and Gujarat clash in a must-win encounter on 18th March. Will RCB continue to hang on by a thread, or will the Giants deal a final blow?
Team Preview
Royal Challengers Bangalore
RCB finally tasted success against the UP Warriorz, their first win in six games. Currently languishing at the bottom of the table, the Smriti Mandhana-led side is still in the fray. However, they need to win the remaining two matches and hope for other results to go in their favour.
The first points on board for RCB did not come on the back of the big names’ contribution. Instead, two young guns in Kanika Ahuja and Richa Ghosh propelled the team over the line.
Can the franchise’s top order, especially skipper Mandhana, follow suit? The stylish left-handed opener's woes against spin (especially off-spin) have got the better of her in almost every game.
Asha Shobhana's leg spin has caught eyeballs, and her claiming wickets spells good news for the side. However, Renuka Singh Thakur has been underwhelming with wayward bowling. RCB needs her to fire to have any chances of going further. Also, will Dane van Niekerk get a look in?
Gujarat Giants
Gujarat Giants’ victory against the high-flying Delhi Capitals would have given them tonnes of confidence. Ashleigh Gardner’s all-around show and Laura Wolvaardt’s fifty set up a much-needed win for them. It is now about carrying the momentum forward and clicking as a team.
The management benched the non-firing S.Meghana in the last encounter, giving themselves a new opening pair in Wolvaardt and Sophia Dunkley. The latter needs to be more consistent and lay a strong foundation for Harleen Deol, Gardner, and others to build upon.
Sneh Rana marshalled her troops well against the Capitals, except for a small blemish. Mansi Joshi conceded 16 runs in the only over she bowled and has largely been disappointing. Will she make way for another bowler/batter?
Match Details
Date and Time: March 18, 07:30 PM IST
Venue: Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai
Live Streaming: Sports18 and Jio Cinema
Pitch Report
After quite a few 200+ scores, runs have dried up at Brabourne stadium. A 160+ total can now be considered safe if you are batting first. Expect a close contest between the bat and ball, with building partnerships the key for every side.
Probable XI
RCB: Smriti Mandhana (c), Sophie Devine, Ellyse Perry, Heather Knight/Dane van Niekerk, Richa Ghosh (wk), Shreyanka Patil, Kanika Ahuja, Disha Kasat, Megan Schutt, Asha Shobana, Renuka Thakur Singh
Gujarat Giants: Sophia Dunkley, Laura Wolvaardt, Harleen Deol, Ashleigh Gardner, Dayalan Hemalatha, Sneh Rana (c), Sushma Verma (wk), Kim Garth, Tanuja Kanwar, Mansi Joshi/Hurley Gala, Ashwani Kumari
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicketkeeper: Richa Ghosh
Batters: Laura Wolvaardt, Kanika Ahuja, Sophia Dunkley
All-rounders: Ashleigh Gardner, Ellyse Perry, Harleen Deol
Bowlers: Asha Shobhana, Kim Garth, Megan Schutt, Tanuja Kanwar
Captain: Ashleigh Gardner
Vice-captain: Ellyse Perry
Prediction
Expect a close encounter between the two bottom-placed teams. Although it is hard to separate the two teams, Gujarat holds a slight edge as their top order has fired occasionally.
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