RCB and Gujarat Giants Aim for First Win to Keep Knockouts Hope Alive
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Gujarat Giants will clash in the third match of the Women's T20 Challenge on Wednesday. Both teams have suffered back-to-back defeats in their opening games and are searching for their first win to stay in contention for the playoffs.
RCB, who have been compared to their men's side in the IPL for their underwhelming performance despite being strong on paper, will be led by Smriti Mandhana. In their previous game against Mumbai Indians, Mandhana stressed the importance of one of the top four batters batting deep to guide them to a competitive total.
However, the team's bowlers have also struggled to make an impact, managing just three wickets in two games. All-rounder Dane van Niekerk could replace Sophie Devine in the playing XI in their quest for their first victory.
Meanwhile, the Giants are still without their captain Beth Mooney, who suffered a knee injury in their opener against Mumbai Indians. It is unclear if she will take the field on Wednesday. The team, led by Sneh Rana, will rely heavily on their bowling to move out of the last spot on the table. Pacer Kim Garth, who took a five-for against UP Warriorz, could once again be a top performer for the Giants.
For RCB, Shreyanka Patil showed glimpses of potential in her confident 15-ball 23 against Mumbai. Wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh will also be eager to make a mark after two underwhelming innings.
The Giants' Dayalan Hemalatha has played two crucial knocks in two matches, lower down the order, and will be determined to carry that form into this match as well.
In terms of statistics, RCB has taken just three wickets from their two matches so far. Only Harleen Deol has crossed the 30-run mark in an innings in the Giants' lineup.
As the tournament is short, with only four games for each team, both RCB and the Giants will look to turn their fortunes around quickly. The pressure will be on both teams to perform and stay in the running for the playoffs.
The possible playing XI for RCB includes Smriti Mandhana (capt), Sophie Devine/Dane van Niekerk, Disha Kasat, Ellyse Perry, Heather Knight, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kanika Ahuja, Shreyanka Patil, Megan Schutt, Renuka Singh, and Preeti Bose/Sahana Pawar.
The possible playing XI for the Giants includes Sophia Dunkley, S Meghana, Harleen Deol, Ashleigh Gardner, Sushma Verma (wk), Dayalan Hemalatha, Annabel Sutherland/Georgia Wareham, Sneh Rana (capt), Tanuja Kanwar, Kim Garth, and Mansi Joshi.
As both teams seek their first win in the Women's T20 Challenge, it promises to be an exciting encounter. The match will kick off at 7:30 PM IST and will be broadcast live on Star Sports and Disney+Hotstar. do the same for this
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