Former Indian cricketer Reema Malhotra feels Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) lacks a big name in their support staff who can inspire the youngsters in the team like Mithali Raj (Gujarat Giants) and Jhulan Goswami (Mumbai Indians).
Reema Malhotra believes RCB picked up a very good team for the inaugural Women’s Premier League, but their real concern is their utilization of Indian players in the league.
Speaking to News18 Cricketnext, Malhotra said: “If you look at the RCB, they have picked up a heavy side. They have picked some great players in Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Renuka Singh Thakur, etc. But the problem is, they aren’t utilizing the Indian players well.”
Smriti Mandhana Credits: TwitterMalhotra stated RCB has not bowled Kanika Ahuja the off-break bowler, who bowled well Punjab hasn’t got any chance in bowling so far. She also cited the example of Poonam Khemnar who is regarded as one of the best all-rounders in Maharashtra and has been underutilized.
“They have Kanika Ahuja, an all-rounder from Punjab, who hasn’t bowled yet in the league. They didn’t use Poonam Khemnar as a bowler. If you have options but you won’t use them, then you will always have a shortage,” she added.
The 42-year-old who played with Smriti Mandhana said that it doesn’t make any sense to question Mandhana’s captaincy and added that the RCB skipper might not have many ideas about the domestic players and as a team, they could not replicate success in the league. RCB has lost all their four matches in the league so far, More than the loss, RCB was outplayed in all the matches.
They Are No Big Names In RCB’s Support Staff – Reema Malhotra
Reema Malhotra stressed that support staff has a huge role to play in helping the captain with the resources available to her. RCB has no star cricketer in their backroom staff. RCB has appointed Sania Mirza as the mentor of the franchise to help with the mental aspects of the players.
“And here lies the role of the support staff. If they won’t tell you about your resources and their capabilities then it will drag your side backward. Other sides have big names associated with them.MI has Jhulan, Delhi Capitals have Hemlata Kala, UP Warriorz has Anju Jain, and Mithali Raj is with Gujarat Giants. And that is what is missing in the RCB camp”.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will next take on Delhi Capitals on their 5th league match of the Women’s Premier League and will look to register their first win in the tournament.