Follow UsAfter failing to make it to the playoffs in the inaugural edition of the Women's Premier League (WPL) last year, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have turned it around this year and have made the playoffs for the first time after beating Mumbai Indians (MI) by seven wickets on Tuesday (March 12) in Delhi.
RCB made an excellent start to the WPL 2024 campaign, winning their first two games but won just one of their next five games, making their final game against MI a must-win encounter.
RCB captain Smriti Mandhana says that a lot of hard work has gone on behind the scenes and has credited the team's support staff and management for showing faith in the players.
"We couldn't step up and play the cricket we wanted to play [last year]. But yeah, last one year, a lot of thoughts have gone into this. A lot of hard work behind the scenes, not only from my side but all the support staff and the RCB management. For them to show their faith in all of us was just amazing," Mandhana said at the post-match press conference.
"You know, the only conversation they had was that 'this is your team, make it the way you want to'. So that was really nice from their side to do that. And yeah, I wouldn't say that [this has been a] really satisfying campaign still, but we had a lot of ups and downs. We started off really well and then had a little bit of dip. But that's how WPL and T20 cricket is. You'll have good days and bad days," she added.
Mandhana also lauded Ellyse Perry for picking up six wickets against MI and also finishing the game off with an unbeaten 40.
"The way Perry bowled was just brilliant to watch. I was at mid-off and it was just a sight to watch, the way she was seaming the ball was really nice. And, yeah, I think we knew that the wicket is not that easy and we have to actually put in good work with the bat. I'm really happy with the way Richa [Ghosh] and Pez [Perry] finished it," the southpaw said.
RCB will look to get one over MI once again when they clash in the Eliminator on Friday (March 15) in Delhi.