WPL 2024: Head Coach Reveals Smriti Mandhana’s Strategy for Batting and Captaincy at RCB Women

Luke Williams, the head coach of the Royal Challengers Bangalore Women’s team, expresses confidence in Smriti Mandhana‘s dual role as both a partner and a leader for the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 season.

In the last season, Mandhana confronted a formidable challenge managing her dual role, leading to a slump in her batting form. Scoring just 149 runs in eight matches, with an average of 18 and a strike rate of 119, she struggled to effectively handle both responsibilities.

Here’s what Luke Wood said ahead of WPL 2024:

“She’s practising really well. She’s in a really confident and happy space with her cricket and the leadership. Obviously, there’s responsibility with captaining and opening the batting. But she’s got plenty of support from the team with lots of experienced seniors to help her and trying to really separate the two roles.”

Recognizing the hurdles of the prior season, Williams emphasized the team’s dedication to growth and development. With RCB securing a fourth-place finish in the previous season, there’s a noticeable sense of stability this time around under Mandhana’s leadership.

“This time Smriti and others have invested time with our players, and our senior players have been fantastic working with our young players and getting to know them and everyone is really starting to feel really comfortable and confident in the environment. We’re looking forward to taking those learnings into this year,” added Williams.