BENGALURU: After avoiding the wooden spoon in the inaugural WPL, RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana was given a free hand to ring in changes. An overhaul of the coaching staff followed.
At the Hundred in August, the 27-year-old worked with Luke Williams, an Australian with proven credentials in women's franchise cricket. Williams had coached the Adelaide Strikers to victory in the 2022 Women's Big Bash League and was the assistant coach of the 2023 Southern Brave team, winners of the Women's Hundred.
By September, Williams had been roped in as head coach. The results are there for all to see.
In an exclusive interview with TOI, the Australian spoke of the team's incredible journey.
Excerpts...
On winning the title:
I'm extremely proud. I'm pleased for the people at RCB and their supporters. So much hard work has gone into making the champion team. It is hard not to be emotional. I always knew RCB was a big franchise with a huge fan base, but I'm blown away by the support.
On Smriti Mandhana:
I worked with her at Southern Brave in the Hundred. That helped a lot because the connection between the head coach and the captain is very important. We know each other well and mutual trust is a good platform to work with.
On strategizing for the auction:
I thought the nucleus of the squad was fantastic. I was excited by the domestic and overseas lineup of players. But we needed a little bit more variety in our bowling and that was part of our auction strategy. We wanted to build depth and variety in the department. From there it was about preparing the group and getting to know each other, because of which we were able to play some of our best cricket.
On Shreyanka Patil:
She is an unbelievable talent who had a tough start to the tournament. She has the confidence and desire to compete despite challenges and injury. I think she was confident the team would eventually have an impact on the tournament. Her belief in the team and herself is infectious.
On the contribution of seniors like Smriti and Ellyse Perry:
Both are experienced players and great team people. It is not just about what they can do, but also how they can make other players better. They are fantastic role models not just in our team, but in world cricket. Both played important roles in our success, more than what the statistics will show.
1/6:WPL 2024: RCB win their first WPL title
AFP
2/6:Shafali Verma
<p>Shafali Verma showcased her destructive prowess in the initial overs, scoring 44 runs off 27 balls with 2 fours and 3 sixes. However, RCB's spinners stole the spotlight later on.<br /></p>PTI
3/6:Sophie Molineux
<p>RCB halted DC's momentum as Molineux claimed three crucial wickets in the eighth over, dismissing Shafali Verma, Jemmimah Rodrigues, and Alice Capsey.<br /></p>PTI
4/6:Shreyanka Patil
<p>Shreyanka Patil claimed the Purple Cap as the top wicket-taker, securing 13 wickets overall. Her stellar performance in the final, taking four wickets for just 12 runs, sealed her victory.<br /></p>PTI
5/6:Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry
<p>Ellyse Perry clinched the Orange Cap as the leading run-scorer with 347 runs in the tournament. Her unbeaten 35 runs in the final propelled RCB to victory, cementing her role in their success.<br /></p>PTI
