Who was the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Women's Premier League event 2023?
AHarmanpreet Kaur
BDeepti Sharma
CShafali Verma
DSmriti Mandhana
Answer:
D. Smriti Mandhana
Read Explanation:
Smriti Mandhana: RCB's Inaugural WPL Captain
Key Role in Women's Premier League (WPL) 2023
- Smriti Mandhana was appointed as the captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) franchise for the inaugural season of the Women's Premier League (WPL) in 2023.
- This marked a significant moment as she led one of the most followed franchises in Indian cricket.
Player Profile and Achievements
- Mandhana is a prominent Indian international cricketer, known for her elegant left-handed batting style.
- She holds the record for the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian woman, achieving it in just 24 balls against New Zealand in February 2019.
- In the WPL 2023 auction, she became the most expensive player, bought by RCB for ₹3.4 crore (approximately $410,000 USD).
- She has been a consistent performer for the Indian women's cricket team across all formats.
Leadership and Team Impact
- As captain, Mandhana was tasked with leading a squad comprising experienced Indian and international players.
- Her leadership was expected to bring stability and performance to the RCB team in their debut WPL campaign.
Context of WPL 2023
- The Women's Premier League (WPL) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in India, established by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
- The first season was held in March 2023, featuring five franchises.
- The league aims to promote women's cricket in India and provide a platform for domestic and international talent.