RCB-W all set to kickstart WPL 2024 with a clash against UP Warriorz

The wait is finally going to be over as RCB-W will be locking horns with the UP Warriorz to kickstart their WPL 2024 campaign at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. After a forgettable outing in the opening edition of the tournament, Smriti and company will be hopeful of getting off to a decent start.

With new inclusions to the side that feature the likes of experienced Ekta Bisht, Georgia Wareham, Kate Cross and Sophie Molineux among others, RCB will be hopeful of forging the perfect balance between the seasoned campaigners and the youth of the side.

The Warriorz also have a strong squad at their disposal and will be looking to spoil RCB’s party. With the likes of Shweta Sehrawat, Vrinda Dinesh, Kiran Nagvire, Poonam Khemnar and Deepti Sharma, the Warriorz have a fine Indian base at their disposal. Add to that the experience of foreigners, and UP have a solid side to work with.

This is going to be a fine war of two teams who will be famished to get that opening win out of the way. This is also going to be Luke Williams’ first litmus test as the RCB-W coach, and the Australian will be hopeful of bringing the same expertise to the table like he has done before in WBBL.

Key player battles:

Smriti Mandhana vs Chamari Athapaththu

The RCB skipper would be hopeful of starting the fray on a fine note after being silent for most of the occasions in the last year’s edition. The Sri Lankan captain who was picked up later by the Warriorz would be coming in with some venom to prove herself in the WPL. This is going to be a fine clash of two experienced international campaigners going head on against each other.

Ellyse Perry vs Sophie Ecclestone

Star all-rounder Ellyse Perry will obviously be a key in the RCB ranks given her calibre and her recent form. Sophie Ecclestone is always a big name when it comes to shining with the ball in her hands and how the left-arm spinner fares against Perry could dictate proceedings majorly.

Sophie Devine vs Alyssa Healy

The White Fern is capable of being instrumental both with the bat and the ball. With the ball, if Devine provides an early breakthrough by removing Healy, RCB-W will feel they will be well ahead in the game. When these two come face to face, expect an explosion of class and elegance at both ends.

Match Details:

Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Up Warriorz

Venue: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

Date: February 24th, 2024

Time: 7:30 PM IST

Squads:

Royal Challengers Bangalore:

Smriti Mandhana (C), Asha Shobana, Disha Kasat, Ellyse Perry*, Indrani Roy, Shradda Pokharkar, Renuka Singh, Richa Ghosh, Shreyanka Patil, Sophie Devine*, Georgia Wareham*, Kate Cross*, Ekta Bisht, Shubha Satheesh, S Meghana, Simran Bahadur, Sophie Molineux*, Nadine de Klerk*.

UP Warriorz:

Alyssa Healy* (C), Anjali Sarvani, Deepti Sharma, Grace Harris*, Kiran Navgire, Laxmi Yadav, Parshavi Chopra, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, S Yashasri, Shweta Sehrawat, Sophie Ecclestone*, Tahlia McGrath*, Danni Wyatt*, Vrinda Dinesh, Poonam Khemnar, Saima Thakor, Gouher Sultana, Chamari Athapaththu*