5 reasons why Bangalore failed in Women's T20 League 2023

Bangalore had a forgettable season in the inaugural edition of the Women's T20 League, finishing with just four points at the fourth position—level with Gujarat for points. However, a better net run rate placed them above Gujarat in the final points table. There were high hopes for the Bangalore franchise, especially after their exceptional performance in the auction. However, the team struggled to put the individual brilliance of the players out on the field. Here are five reasons why Bangalore failed in the inaugural season of the Women's T20 League.

5. Conceding too many runs in the powerplay

Renuka Singh Thakur (Source: Twitter)

There was a visible gap in Bangalore's bowling attack, with the side conceding many runs in the powerplay. This remained a consistent problem for Bangalore, conceding early runs. Therefore, it was often too little too late for the side when they looked to restrict the run-flow. This was especially visible in the first five games. Bangalore improved considerably in the final stretch, but it was too late. Bangalore's pacers conceded a lot of runs, and they remained a major reason behind their poor show with the ball.

4. Lack of spin options

Sophie Devine (Source: Twitter)

When the pacers are misfiring, a team needs their spinners to restrict the run flow and restore balance to the side's bowling. However, that option was missing for Bangalore in the inaugural Women's T20 League. The side had just two pure spinners – Sahana Pawar and Preeti Bose, both fairly inexperienced. Their main spin options were among the all-rounders, and none were up to the task of restricting the run flow or slowing down the game during the middle overs.

3. Wrong decisions from the Bangalore management

Sania Mirza, Mentor, Bangalore (Source: Twitter)

Up next, the Bangalore Management also did not do them any favours with their decisions. Firstly, appointing Sania Mirza as the team's mentor was a decision that did not favour the team. Rather, going with someone experienced in the same sport is much more logical. A mentor should know how to motivate a team during tough points in any game. Secondly, the decision to appoint Smriti Mandhana as captain also backfired. There were more options in Sophie Devine of Ellyse Perry. Giving someone else a chance might have fared differently. That is something for the management to consider in the next season. Their picks in the auction were another noticeable flaw. The team that took shape had serious gaps in their bowling.  

2. Sub-par captaincy by Smriti Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana (Source: Twitter)

A major reason for Bangalore's downfall was Smriti Mandhana's captaincy. The India star batter was not on point with her bowling changes and field placement. Moreover, Mandhana could not embody a leader in their squad. Despite having a star-studded squad, her sub-par captaincy was a major reason why Bangalore could not perform well as a team. Their selection of the playing XI was another aspect of captaincy she got wrong. The two pure spinners were not played or used regularly, which hurt Bangalore on the pitch.

1. Smriti Mandhana's form

Smriti Mandhana, Bangalore (Source: Twitter)

The most important reason for Bangalore's downfall could have been Smriti Mandhana's inconsistent form. Scoring runs and playing well on the field greatly affects a player's psychology. Had she been playing well, her confidence would have reflected in her on-field body language and captaincy calls. Her leadership qualities were largely missing in the dugout, and all of it concerns the player's mental state. A better form for the skipper might have spun a different story for Bangalore.