After four consecutive losses at home, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are in a precarious position, reminiscent of their inaugural season struggles. They understand all too well how a winless run can jeopardize playoff qualification. Interestingly, RCB broke a similar streak against UP Warriorz in WPL 2023. Now, they aim to extend the hosts’ difficulties and boost their own chances for a top-three finish this Saturday.
RCB enjoyed strong support from an average crowd of 28,000 in Bengaluru. However, the pitch and conditions negated their home advantage. Losing all four tosses didn’t help, but their heavy reliance on Ellyse Perry was evident throughout the home leg. Perry has been outstanding, scoring the second-highest runs this season (295 at an average of 98.3) and consistently challenging for the Orange Cap. In contrast, the rest of the top order has collectively scored 358 runs at a much lower average of 22.37. Excluding Mandhana’s match-winning 81 and Wyatt-Hodge’s fifty, the batting performance looks concerning.
Top-order struggles are a widespread issue. UP Warriorz have experimented with their opening pairs in the last four matches, trying three different combinations around Grace Harris. With Georgia Voll’s recent half-century, they might have found a stable Australian duo. The uneven mix of domestic and international players has previously caused problems for the Warriorz, often leaving too much for the power-hitters to do at the end of innings. While they have had thrilling wins, like Chinelle Henry’s aggressive innings against Delhi Capitals and Sophie Ecclestone’s comeback against RCB, overall consistency has been a challenge.
Currently, only Net Run Rate separates RCB (-0.244) and UPW (-0.785), but RCB has a game in hand, to be played in Mumbai. UP Warriorz’s defeat to Gujarat Giants significantly hampered their playoff chances, making them reliant on other results. To improve their situation, they first need to overcome their inconsistency and secure a win against RCB to climb up the league table.
Team News
UP Warriorz
Gouher Sultana, in her two recent games for UPW, has bowled only one over, conceding 16 runs. She might be replaced by Rajeshwari Gayakwad, or the team could opt for an extra pace bowler.
Probable XI: Grace Harris, Georgia Voll, Vrinda Dinesh, Deepti Sharma (c), Shweta Sehrawat, Kiran Navgire, Uma Chetry (wk), Chinelle Henry, Sophie Ecclestone, Gouher Sultana/Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Kranti Goud
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Captain Mandhana dismissed suggestions of retiring out Raghavi Bist in the previous match against DC despite a slow start. However, facing a do-or-die situation, RCB might consider one or two changes to their lineup.
Probable XI: Smriti Mandhana (c), Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Ellyse Perry, Raghvi Bist/S Meghana, Kanika Ahuja, Richa Ghosh (wk), Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Sneh Rana, Renuka Singh Thakur, Ekta Bisht/Prema Rawat
