The stage is set for Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 and Smriti Mandhana-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have set their sights on the coveted title. RCB will enter the WPL 2025 as defending champions and will kick start their campaign with a clash against Gujarat Giants. Notably, RCB lifted the Women's Premier League 2024 trophy after crushing Delhi Capitals by eight wickets in the final.
Meanwhile, RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana, during an exclusive conversation with Sports Tak, talked about her planning and strategy for the upcoming WPL 2025 which is set to start from February 14.
RCB's planning for WPL 2025
India's vice-captain said that last year too there wasn't any such planning and plotting and they will go by the same formula in the third edition of the WPL as well. She clearly said RCB's only focus is on ticking the boxes right and keep the basics in check and concentrate on only what lies in their hand with no fancy planning.
"Last year we didn't have any planning per say, which actually worked for us. I strongly believe in ticking the boxes right and just focus on the basics and if you pay heed to the small things, the magic will happen on the field. So to talk about what we need to do, what should be done sounds superficial for me. If you ask me I want my teammates to enjoy the game as much as possible. We have a beautiful culture as an RCB unit and everyone needs to follow that, which is a great thing. And all the girls a really really good. At the end our preparation in the next seven days will be of utmost significance and hopefully we will do good, that's all in our hands," Mandhana told Sports Tak.
RCB women's team had a disappointing outing in WPL's inaugural season in 2023 where they finished second last in the five-team league. Mandhana revealed that after their ouster from the glitzy league in WPL 2023, former RCB men's team captain Virat Kohli came and delivered a much-needed pep talk to pump them up and boost their confidence.
"He has been playing cricket for a long time and has achieved a lot of things and shattered umpteen records. He is really an inspirational person. In the first season when we couldn't perform well, he came and gave a inspirational pep talk. It was really so nice of him," she added.
But the same Virat Kohli was virtually present when RCB ended up lifting the trophy in WPL 2024. He was spotted talking to Mandhana via video call after RCB's title triumph. However, Mandhana couldn't get to talk much with the batting legend but did reveal that whatever interaction she had with him, the superstar looked very happy.
On message from Virat Kohli
"I was in the middle of post-match presentation so I couldn't get much time to talk to him. But whatever interaction we had, Virat Kohli looked very happy," the 28-year-old further stated.
Smriti Mandhana on RCB's captain for IPL 2025
India women's star southpaw was then quizzed about who could be RCB men's team captain for the IPL 2025, to which she replied"
"I am not any management as it's for the management to decide who will be RCB's captain in IPL 2025".
Does Mandhana aspire to become India's captain?
In absence of regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Mandhana was seen leading the Women in Blue in the series against Ireland in the ODI series where they completed a 3-0 whitewash. Mandhana was also asked about her aspirations of becoming India women's cricket team captain.
"At this moment I should focus on what RCB need from me. I am not a type of person who believes in thinking too far. I will only focus on what's in my hand. so whatever whenever happens, it will happen," Mandhana added.
Mandhana also spoke at length about the RCB's Sports-Forward Nation report.
"RCB has launched the Sports Forward Nation. Last year we had a good program on RCB's leader summit where people put forth their views on cricket, other sports and women sports' growth and how it should be in the coming years. They have beautifully compiled this Sports-Forward Nation report. With this report RCB has highlighted on how should be the growth of women's cricket including other sports, which is a great initiative," she concluded.
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