Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) women have suffered a big blow ahead of the next First women’s division (WPL) 2024. England captain Heather Knight has withdrawn from the next edition of the league.
This comes as a huge blow to the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) women as Heather Knight played a very important role for the team last year. Even though the team had a torrid stretch last year, she was the shining light for the team with both bat and ball.
Heather Knight played 8 matches for RCB last year and scored 135 runs for the team with a strike rate of over 140. With the ball too, The England women’s captain was decent as she took 4 wickets in 4 wins at an average of around 19 and a strike rate of 10.50.
His absence will leave a huge void for RCB in WPL 2024. With the kind of balance he provided with both bat and ball and also the quality he possesses, the franchise will miss his services. His experience will also be a big void for the team next season.
Although there is no confirmation from the office as to why Heather Knight withdrew from WPL 2024, it can be suspected that this could be due to domestic commitments. Recently there were reports suggesting that the ECB had asked players to play in the WPL or the national team.
England women will play a five-match T20I series against New Zealand, which will clash with the WPL. The ECB has clearly told the players that those who stay in India will not be called up for the first three matches of the New Zealand series.
It can be assumed that Heather Knight might have retired from the WPL for RCB due to national duty. Apart from England captain Lauren Bell who was supposed to play for UP Warriorz, she also withdrew from the tournament for the same reasons.
RCB Women name Nadine de Klerk as substitute player
With England captain Heather Knight retiring from the upcoming season, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) women were quick to announce her replacement. They signed South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk as a substitute player.
Nadine de Klerk has been impressive with bat and ball for South Africa. The fast bowling all-rounder has appeared in 30 ODIs and 46 T20Is for his country and has scored 771 runs across two formats along with 74 wickets to his name.
RCB Women expect Nadine de Klerk to play a crucial role for the team with both bat and ball. The tournament will begin on February 23 with the clash between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. Royal challengers Bangalore will open their campaign against UP Warriorz on February 24.
RCB Women Squad for WPL
Asha Shobana, Disha Kasat, Ellyse Perry, Heather Knight, Indrani Roy, Kanika Ahuja, Renuka Singh, Richa Ghosh, Shreyanka Patil, Smriti Mandhana (captain), Sophie Devine, Georgia Wareham, Ekta Bisht, Kate Cross, Shubha Satheesh, Georgia Wareham , Ekta Bisht, Kate Cross, Shubha Satheesh, Simran Bahadur, Sabbineni Meghana, Sophie Molineux.