Smriti Mandhana Birthday Special: Three Decisions of RCB Women's Captain Which Helped Them Clinch Maiden WPL Title

People don't like to see gloomy faces and if they are fans watching an agonising face of Smriti Mandhana with constant guilt making her remember what could and could not, it becomes rather painful. This is what Smriti Mandhana's face represented when Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women failed to make it to the playoffs of the inaugural season of the WPL. Fans must have felt like, now again, another jersey number 18, star batter of team India, captain of RCB is going to face the curse of not winning the trophy no matter how many times they tried. It was rather deflating for the entire team, coaching staff and fans involved to be in that kind of situation. To be carrying baggage which is not theirs and especially the captain was at the receiving end, thinking how to escape from the deadlock. Smriti Mandhana was born on  July 18, 1996 in Mumbai.

Happy Birthday Smriti Mandhana: Fans Wish Star Indian Cricketer As She Turns 28.

It all changed in WPL 2024, Smriti Mandhana's Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women went on to win the Championship and they broke the curse of RCB. That night fans in Bengaluru were out in the streets celebrating in ways they know off. Mandhana was smiling, knowing this time she has broken a curse rather than retain it, despite it not belonging to them. As Smriti turns 28 on July 18, we will look at three changes Mandhana made in the team which helped them achieve success in the nascent stages of the Women's Premier League.

1. Decision to Include Georgia Wareham and Sophie Molineux:

In the inaugural season, RCB relied hard on the star overseas signings Heather Knight and Megan Schutt. Schutt and Renuka Singh ended up both being new ball specialists, which left the middle overs to only all-rounders. Also the team lacked spinners with International experience as most of the others were scouted from domestic circuit. This time despite having Schutt and Kate Cross, Mandhana opted to play Wareham and Molineux, who covered the middle overs helping her squeeze the opposition middle overs. Wareham and Molineux both being more than handy with the bat added more batting depth too.

2. Adding Ex-Factor Asha Sobhana:

While most teams had a tried and tested death bowler like Shabnim Ismail or Sophie Ecclestone, RCB lacked one in the inaugural season and they had to rely on new ball bowlers to help them get through that base. This time Mandhana decided to play Asha Sobhana and use him particularly as a death specialist. Multiple times Sobhana came when the situation was very evenly poised and tilted the game in RCB's favour with multiple wickets, It ended up being a masterstroke in favour of them.

3. Usage of Ellyse Perry:

Due to the presence of Sophie Devine, Heather Knight and Ellyse Perry, three seam bowling all-rounders up her ranks, it got confusing for Smriti Mandhana to use them well under pressure as a wicket taking option. This time though, with Knight not being around and two strike spinners up her sleeve, Mandhana found the right use of Perry the bowler and promoted Perry up the order and got the best out of her as a batter too. Perry's all-round performance helped RCB-W massively to clinch the title. Jasprit Bumrah, Smriti Mandhana Win ICC Player of the Month Awards for June 2024.

Sometimes initial failure and it just did for Smriti Mandhana as in the second attempt, she was much more prepared to face the situations than the first season. Her experience of facing the difficulties made her find the solutions and the problem-solving attitude of her helped RCB-W get through the curse of not winning anymore.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 18, 2024 06:45 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).