Here's how Smriti Mandhana-led RCB can still qualify for WPL 2023 eliminator

Smriti Mandhana-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were considered one of the most lethal team after the Women Premier League (WPL) auction.

SportsTak

• Tue • 14 Mar 2023

Smriti Mandhana-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were considered one of the most lethal team after the Women Premier League (WPL) auction. Even after having big guns like Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh and Megan Schutt among their ranks, RCB are yet to register their first win in the inaugural season. They came close to a victory against Delhi Capitals (DC) on March 13 but lost the game by six wickets with two balls left in the game.

One of the main reasons behind RCB’s five consecutive losses is their skipper’s form. Mandhana has managed to score just 88 runs from five innings so far. In the last two games, she has registered single-digit scores.

Three must-win clashes

However, with three more league games to for RCB, they still have a chance to make it to the eliminator. First of all, it is a no-brainer that they need to win their remaining three matches starting with UP Warriorz (UPW) on March 14, Gujarat Giants (GG) on March 18 and Mumbai Indians (MI) on March 21.

Help from MI and DC

Even if they manage to win all three of their remaining matches, they need table-toppers MI and DC to win their remaining matches. Harmanpreet Kaur-led MI and Meg Lanning-led DC should beat Giants, Warriorz. In the clash between MI and DC, the result would not matter.

One more favour

After help from in-form MI and DC, RCB would need one more match going in their favour. They will need Giants to beat Warriorz on March 20. So far, the Sneh Rana-led side has won just one game out of four. If they beat Warriorz, both the teams will have two wins.

If the outcome of the game is not in RCB’s favour then net run rate (NRR) will come into play. Currently, RCB have an NRR of -2.109 whereas Warriorz have a positive NRR which will make the situation tough for Mandhana’s side.

Schutt defends Mandhana

Despite five straight losses, Schutt did not blame Mandhana for the extended poor run of Bangalore-based franchise.

“It has been a whole team effort in a way. We have leaked too many runs in the field while bowling and fielding and probably are not putting enough on the board. I think we cannot put it down to any single person’s performance,” the Australian pacer said after RCB’s loss to DC.