Exclusive: Coach RX Muralidhar credits Smriti Mandhana for winds of change in RCB

Royal Challengers Bengaluru finished fourth on the points table and narrowly missed the playoff spot in Women’s Premier League 2023. They were deemed favourites to win the tournament after some notable signings but lost the opening five games of the competition, which ruined their chance to qualify for the playoffs and the season ended on a disappointing note.

However, RCB had the belief to make a strong comeback in 2024 and they eventually went on to win the second edition in 2024, defeating Delhi Capitals in the final by eight wickets. They were consistent in the season as the senior players like Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, Asha Sobhana and Sophie Molineux played outstandingly while the youngsters like Shreyanka Patil and Richa Ghosh were equally impressive. 

Even though there were not many changes in personnel from the first edition, RCB changed their approach, which brought results and success. Speaking about that, coach RX Muralidhar noted that captain Mandhana took charge along with head coach Luke Williams and changed the strategy. He added that the franchise helped them by buying the right players from the auction and the team management understood that investing in spinners would bring success.

“Everything changed (in 2024). We sat together and discussed which are the areas we need to address. Massive credit to Smriti. She was the one who took charge and then coach Luke Williams. She took charge with Luke and then you saw the difference out there. Spin was one area (that we addressed). I think in women’s cricket, spin rules. That is something we identified and picked up players accordingly and they made a massive impact,” said Muralidhar in an exclusive chat with CricTracker.

Richa Ghosh is already the answer for the finisher’s role: Muralidhar

Richa Ghosh has done a terrific job as a finisher for both RCB and India’s women’s team. The 20-year-old made her T20I debut in 2020 and has featured in 55 T20I internationals so far, scoring 860 runs at a strike rate of 140.52. Now, with the T20 World Cup approaching, Richa will have a massive responsibility of finishing things and as per Muralidhar, the Siliguri-born is ready.

“Richa has got massive, massive skill. She is working on her power game as well. She has got the experience now, batting at the right slot. She is one of those girls who is always working on her skills and trying to get better. I think she is already the answer for the finisher’s role. Just imagine, another year and a half time, she will only get better,” Muralidhar said.

Muralidhar opens up on presence of modern-day greats in dressing room 

Muralidhar also opened up about the presence of some legends of the game in the dressing room, such as Mandhana, Perry and Devine among others. Speaking about the experience of being associated with such players, the RCB coach noted that it was a humbling experience for him and that he too got to learn plenty of things.

“It was a humbling experience. To be in the same arena as some of the very big stars of cricket was very humbling, Secondly, I got to learn a lot from these champions. All of them were very interested in developing and bettering their skill and performance. In one of the matches, after scoring a match-winning performance, they used to ask, ‘coach, what’s your view?’ They were open to figure out new things. In that way, I have been lucky to be part of that kind of set-up,” Muralidhar said.