Malolan delighted with flexibility in RCB squad

Having someone like Nadine de Klerk in your squad brings out three things. One, her presence in the batting order provides Royal Challengers Bengaluru with the assurance of runs at a reasonable rate and, in times of a batting malfunction, the ability to weather the storm. Two, someone who could contribute with the ball. And three, an excellent fielding option.

However, the best part for RCB was her price at the Women’s Premier League mega auction here in New Delhi: Rs 65 lakh only. 

After losing the legendary Sophie Devine to the Gujarat Giants for Rs 2 crore, the rationale for the acquisition was clearly intent and flexibility. And even though de Klerk might not be a like-for-like for Devine, RCB head coach Malolan Rangarajan thinks she could be the "replacement".

“Sophie Devine is obviously a champion cricketer. Played for us for two years, was a part of our winning team. But in our mind, we have replaced Devine with Nadine (de Klerk), at least for me and our think tank. Very happy with her. While she may bat in a different position, I think the good thing about the squad is that we have flexibility and that’s how we want to play,” Rangarajan said after the auction. 

While flexibility might be one thing, identifying what a player brings to the table and assessing their strengths and weaknesses before voicing their trust in the form of lifting the paddle is where the think tank’s importance lies and it looked like RCB had done their homework. 

“We knew how we wanted to play, what set of players we were looking for. What sort of compromise do we make. However, the good thing is that there were no compromises, because we got back similar skills. We wanted to be flexible but without compromising on anything.”

It is not only sensible but also understandable that plans can go haywire, given the dynamics of a mega auction and at one point, with only about Rs 2.85 crore in the bank, RCB approached Shikha Pandey for services till Rs 2.2 crore, which to some might have come as a surprise. 

While it played out fairly well for RCB in the end by signing Pooja Vastrakar and Arundhati Reddy, the coach thinks they were ready for the gamble and were clear on what they came shopping for. 

“We would have more or less gotten the team. With not being able to acquire Shikha, it meant we were able to get maybe two to three players for the same price. And even if we had got her, we still had a plan, and it was going according to it. So we are pleased with how things have gone. As I said, it is about having options and adapting to the situation," said Rangarajan. 

“See, we are here to win WPL. And If I have learned one thing, it is that you don't win the WPL in the auction. You certainly stand a chance of losing the WPL in the auction.”

The task for Rangarajan and his crew will be to utilise the squad to try and ensure they remain competitive for the two-year cycle. When asked about how the squad is set with two WPLs in a span of 13 to 14 months, the 36-year-old said that clarity is the most important thing. 

“After the retentions, there was a huge delta in the purse among teams. So you had to be very clear. The other thing we did was we had a clear identity of how we want to play -- people like Anya (Shrubsole), RX Murli (Muralidhar) and all our coaches helped a lot with their inputs. 

"Talking about our scouting, we have five scouts who are involved in watching games all around. Then we start prioritising players with the money in hand and it goes on.”

Rangarajan, who joined RCB (men’s side) as the head of the talent scouting wing in 2019, sang Prema Rawat's praises and expects the 24-year-old leg spinner to represent India soon.

“We have also acquired Prema Rawat. A very, very talented spinner again. She will go on to play for the country and do very well. Acquiring her for 20 lakhs was a steal and I did not expect that.”

When asked about their most significant purchase of the RCB’s auction in England quick Lauren Bell and the Southern Brave connection between the 24-year-old captain Smriti Mandhana and bowling coach Shrubsole, Rangarajan said that while knowing a player does make it easier, the purchase was purely on merit. 

“I can't deny the fact that knowing people helps. But Lauren Bell is good enough to play for any WPL side, any side in the world. She gives us exactly what we are looking for. She is a wicket-taker in the powerplay, has good control during the death and could be a point of difference in the bowling attack,” he signed off.