Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are having the worst tournament in the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL). The Smriti Mandhana-led side haven’t yet opened their account in the points table, having lost five matches on the trot.
The Monday night fixture against Delhi Capitals (DC) at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai was RCB’s fifth game in the tournament, but they couldn’t defend their score of 150 as the Meg Lanning-led Delhi chased down the target with six wickets in hand.
Notably, RCB is full of superstars, but the lack of consistency has proven way too costly for the Bangalore-based franchise. Captain Smriti, opener Sophie Devine and experienced campaigner Heather Knight all have been major disappointments, along with the bowling unit, which has the likes of Megan Schutt and Renuka Thakur.
Ellyse Perry, however, has been super impressive with her sublime batting, but a lack of support from the rest of the batters has spoiled the party for the Challengers. Notably, Perry is the second-highest run-getter in the tournament, with 195 runs from five games at an average of 48.75.
Coming back to RCB, after losing five games consecutively, it appears that they are out of the race for the playoffs. But mathematically, the Challengers can still book their place in the Eliminator. Notably, the top-placed team after the league stage will directly go into the final, while teams finishing second and third will face each other in the Eliminator, and the winner will advance into the summit clash.
On that note, let’s have a look at RCB’s qualification scenarios for WPL 2023:
In order to book a place in the Eliminator, RCB would first need to ensure they win all their remaining fixtures with big margins so that their net run rate gets a shoot which is currently at -2.109 after their five back-to-back losses.
Further, the Challengers need a wild hope that UP Warriorz should lose all their remaining games. Only RCB and Gujarat Giants, who are second last in the points table, have the NRR in minus. Mumbai Indians (MI) are the table-toppers with four consecutive wins and no losses. Similarly, the Capitals are at number two, while Warriorz are positioned at number three.
Remaining matches of RCB:
- March 15 – UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bangalore at 7:30 PM IST
- March 18 – Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Giants at 7:30 PM IST
- March 21 – Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians at 3:30 PM IST
