The Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz are set to go head-to-head in match no. 11 of the ongoing 02 edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL). The game is scheduled for the 4th of March, 2024, at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, at 7:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Both the Royals and Warriorz have won a couple of their four games this WPL, but while the former kicked off their campaign with consecutive wins, the latter are back on track following back-to-back defeats.
Squads:
Royal Challengers Bangalore – Smriti Mandhana (C), Ekta Bisht, Georgia Wareham*, Shreyanka Patil, Sophie Molineux*, Shradda Pokharkar, Richa Ghosh, Kate Cross*, Nadine de Klerk*, Shubha Satheesh, Sabbhineni Meghana, Indrani Roy, Asha Shobana, Ellyse Perry*, Simran Dil Bahadur, Disha Kasat, Renuka Singh Thakur, Sophie Devine*
UP Warriorz – Alyssa Healy* (C), Tahlia McGrath*, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Chamari Athapaththu*, Anjali Sarvani, Deepti Sharma, Laxmi Yadav, Parshavi Chopra, Grace Harris*, Sophie Ecclestone*, Kiran Navgire, Saima Thakor, Shweta Sehrawat, Vrinda Dinesh, Poonam Khemnar, Soppadhandi Yashasri, Gouher Sultana, Danni Wyatt*
Players to watch out:
Sophie Devine
The 34-year-old all-rounder in the WPL last summer amassed 266 runs from 8 outings, while also striking 3 wickets from 5 innings. This season, while Sophie hasn’t got going with the bat, departing on scores of 1, 6, 23, and 9, she has compensated with the ball, registering figures of 0/10 (1), 0/12 (4), 2/23 (3), 1/16 (3). She’ll be backed to find her batting mojo and deliver all-round efforts.
Georgia Wareham
The 24-year-old leg-spinner in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), from 48 outings, bagged 51 wickets and with the bat, has chipped in scoring 116 runs from 14 innings. Georgia was dropped after a couple of decent games last tournament. However, this season has returned figures of 1/23, 1/20, 0/13, and 1/18, and also scored 27 runs in the most recent game. She’ll be banked upon for the goods.
Chamari Athapaththu
The 34-year-old all-rounder has racked up 2651 runs from 120 T20I outings, while also scalping 40 wickets from 65 bowling innings, with bests of 113 and 3/17. Chamari has been in outstanding form lately, from all-round success in international cricket to Big Bash, and on WPL debut with the Warriorz, she registered figures of 17 and 0/14. It’ll be hoped she capitalizes on this start.
Rajeshwari Gayakwad
The 32-year-old left-arm spinner, from 8 WPL appearances last season, struck 7 wickets but conceded runs at an economy rate of 8.20. Rajeshwari was in good form with plenty of wickets to her name in the domestic season and, to some extent, has replicated her form, picking 4 wickets from as many outings, at an economy rate of 7.66. The team will count on her to lead the tally.
Pitch:
The 22-yard strip at Chinnaswamy Stadium is a balanced one, and another high-scoring game can be expected. It has a little in for bowlers, especially early in the game for pacers, while batters enjoy the quick outfield and smaller ground dimensions.
Weather:
Bangalore promises ideal conditions for a complete game of cricket with no expected rain. The temperature is forecasted to hover around 26°C, with light winds and humidity of 58%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Alyssa Healy, Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Devine, Chamari Athapaththu, Grace Harris, Kiran Navgire, Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Renuka Singh Thakur, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Wareham
Match details:
Date – March 4, 2024
Time – 7:30 PM IST
Venue – Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on Jio Cinema and telecasted on Sports18.
