Three changes Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) should make following their WPL 2023 defeat to Mumbai Indians (MI) Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are in dire straits following their WPL 2023 defeat to MI on March 6 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.
Smriti Mandhana and co. chose to bat first, but they didn’t perform well enough and were run out for 158 in 19 overs. The MI target was then easily defeated by Hayley Matthews and Natalie Sciver-Brunt, who sped home with a whopping 34 deliveries remaining.
RCB desperately needs to find a way to get its campaign back on track after suffering two crushing defeats. Before their next WPL 2023 game against the Gujarat Giants on March 8 in Navi Mumbai, they must seriously consider a few adjustments.
Following their defeat to MI, the Royal Challengers should consider these three adjustments.
#1 Dane van Niekerk for Sophie Devine
No need to reiterate former South African captain Dane van Niekerk’s ability as an all-rounder for Sophie Devine. Although she was left out of the T20 World Cup squad, she brings a fresh perspective to the RCB team that the WPL 2023 team has lacked thus far.
In order to accommodate Van Niekerk in the playing XI, White Ferns skipper Sophie Devine may be required to make way. Devine has also not bowled as frequently in recent times, not participating in the T20 World Cup.
This is reflected in her wicketless performances thus far in WPL 2023, in which she did not appear to penetrate sufficiently. Van Niekerk is a wrist-spinning option and can easily climb to No. 1 in the rankings. 3, as well as allowing Disha Kasat to open the batting to distribute experience throughout the batting order.
#2 Komal Zanzad for Preeti Bose
Preeti Bose is a left-arm spinner who has played two average games so far in the WPL 2023. She did not take a wicket against the Delhi Capitals, and despite taking a wicket against MI, she has not posed a sufficient threat.
Komal Zanzad might be able to help RCB improve its bowling lineup in this area. Zanzad is an unknown commodity, so she could surprise the opposing batters. Having a left-arm seamer always adds another dimension.
The team would be without a left-arm spinner if they decided to bench Bose. However, given that Van Niekerk has added a strong spin option and their bowling unit has failed to deliver on true batting surfaces, they must take the chance to add a seamer who offers something different.
#3 Erin Burns for Heather Knight
This may be harsh on Heather Knight given her overall performance against DC, but if RCB want to add wings to their lineup, the England captain may need to step in. Knight took a few wickets against the Capitals, but given that Shreyanka Patil was included in the team as the primary offspinner, she may not see much use with the bat.
To that end, Erin Burns could be considered an identical replacement. In the Women’s National Cricket League, she has been in great form for New South Wales, scoring runs in the middle order at a healthy strike rate.
Burns might be a better choice for No. 5 than Knight, who is ideal for batting one or two positions higher than that. She is also a gun fielder and offers more with the ball. Consequently, the Aussie is a choice RCB should contemplate in front of their next WPL 2023 game.