Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will look to avoid a third consecutive loss at the Chinnaswamy Stadium when they face Gujarat Giants (GG) in the ongoing WPL. In the reverse fixture, RCB created history by chasing down the highest-ever target in the tournament.
RCB now leads the head-to-head battle 3-2. Last year, they defeated GG at the same venue. Interestingly, all three of RCB’s wins have come while chasing, while both of GG’s victories have come while defending.
RCB’s recent struggles
RCB started the tournament well, winning their first two games. However, Smriti Mandhana and her team lost momentum, suffering back-to-back defeats. They lost to Mumbai Indians (MI) in the final over and to UP Warriorz in a Super Over.
Smriti’s captaincy decisions were questioned in both games. Her choice to bowl Kanika Ahuja in the 19th over against MI, send herself to bat in the Super Over against UPW, and trust Renuka Singh Thakur for the death overs instead of Ellyse Perry raised eyebrows.
Smriti is India’s current vice-captain and steps in for Harmanpreet Kaur when needed. But such performances as a leader in the WPL would not help strengthen the case. The management must step in, and Smriti needs to find solutions quickly. The match against GG presents a chance for redemption. A win would take RCB to the top of the table.
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Smriti vs Gardner: A Key Battle
Smriti also needs to step up as a batter. After scoring 90 runs in two matches in Vadodara, she has managed only 32 runs in two games in Bengaluru. She will once again face GG skipper Ashleigh Gardner, who has dismissed her nine times in 26 T20 innings, including three times in five WPL games.
GG’s Struggles and Gardner’s Form
Things have not gone well for Gujarat Giants either. Gardner was in great form in the first two games, scoring back-to-back fifties and leading her team to victory against UPW. But GG has since suffered two straight losses and sits at the bottom of the table with just two points from four games. This match is a must-win to keep their playoff hopes alive.
GG’s batting unit, especially the top order, has struggled. Despite having players like Beth Mooney, Phoebe Litchfield, and Harleen Deol (who replaced Laura Wolvaardt and Dayalan Hemalatha), they have failed to fire. Initially, Gardner and Deandra Dottin contributed, but their performances as a whole batting unit have declined with each game.
Gardner’s individual form has also dipped. After scoring 131 runs and taking four wickets in the first two matches, she managed just 13 runs and one wicket in the next two. Notably, all three of her dismissals have been against pacers. RCB’s Kim Garth will look to exploit that weakness.
Both Smriti and Gardner must lead from the front. Their individual performances will be key to their respective team’s success. It remains to be seen which captain can guide their team to victory in Chinnaswamy today.
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