Need to get runs on board for bowlers to defend: Mandhana

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s 2023 Women’s Premier League campaign has gone from bad to worse to horrendous. There is no hiding from this and their skipper Smriti Mandhana is ready to take the blame for their fourth consecutive defeat of the season.

Bangalore are the only franchise who are yet to win a game this season, having lost all of their four encounters. Apart from their game against Gujarat Giants, RCB have lost the other three matches by massive margins. 

They started their campaign with a 60-run defeat against Delhi Capitals before losing to Mumbai Indians by nine wickets. They lost to Gujarat by 11 runs and have now been hammered by 10 wickets at the hands of UP Warriorz.

Ellyse Perry (39-ball 52) and Sophie Devine (24-ball 36) started well, taking Bangalore to 72/1 by the end of eight overs, before all went downhill. RCB lost nine wickets for 65 runs and were bundled out for 138 in 19.3 overs. 

“In the last four games, it's been happening. We start well and then lose a cluster of wickets. I take the blame as well. Need to get runs on the board for the bowlers to defend. Overs 7-15 we spoke about getting 7-8 per over. Didn't work out today,” said Mandhana, who got out for just 4 off 6 deliveries.

Bangalore made three changes to their playing XI and are yet to find the right combination. “We're trying to get a balanced team. Let's see how it goes. I've tried to speak to all the players about it. We'll have to keep doing it. The last one week has been really tough on the team. Lots to reflect, and lots to work on. Should admit last week has been really tough.”

Meanwhile, the Warriorz had a perfect game. Chasing a target of 139, UP captain Alyssa Healy smoked 96* off 47 deliveries and helped her team get over the line with seven overs to spare. Devika Vaidya (31-ball 36*), who was promoted up the order, played the role of an anchor and only left the field once the job was done.

“Really pleased with our bowlers tonight to keep them under 200. Full credit to the spinners as they held their nerve and took wickets at crucial times. It was spin to win tonight. It was a good batting wicket and the spinners did a fine job,” said Healy about her spinners - Sophie Ecclestone (4/13), Deepti Sharma (3/26), Rajeshwari Gayakwad (1/26).

“We watched Vaidya in the recent series (against India) and wondered what she was doing at number 7, she played a fine knock and took the pressure off me. We just set the platform early and by the timeout, we needed run a ball, and we didn't want to drag it too long.”