WPL 2026: RCB in a 'really good place' ahead of tournament final

Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bengaluru were in the middle of a brilliant run in the Women's Premier League but suffered a few hiccups en route to their second final in three seasons. However, English import Lauren Bell said that the team is in a "really good place" ahead of the all-important clash. 

After two back-to-back defeats against Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals, RCB sealed their WPL final berth with an emphatic eight-wicket win over Gujarat Giants and finished the league phase as table toppers. 

"We have learnt a lot from those two games (losses). You don't learn a lot when you win because everything has gone well. I think as a whole, we are really in a good place and that is key moving forward," Bell said in a media interaction. 

The 2024 champions will take on either three-time finalists Delhi Capitals or first-time play-off entrants Gujarat Giants in the final, and Bell stressed that the short break has helped them to recharge their batteries after playing eight matches in 20 days. 

"Obviously, when you have a week between your last game and the final, you don't want to be thinking about the final because you will be exhausted by the time you get there. The break was to spend a bit of time together outside of cricket, which was good. Now we are back and have a few training sessions to get ourselves ready."

The 25-year-old also underlined RCB's depth and versatility that has helped them throughout the campaign. 

"We have not completely been reliant on one or two players. We have had five different Player of the Match performances. It shows that we have got a real depth in the team and we can turn to anyone and they will hopefully try and get us over the line," Bell said. 

'Life changing'

Playing her first-ever WPL, Gautami Naik said she has been picking the brains of explosive Australian batter Grace Harris and South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk. 

"I have bonded well with Grace Harris and Nadine de Klerk. From Grace, I have learnt to keep things simple. Her approach to the game is also very simple. And from Nadine, I want to learn the never-give-up attitude," Gautami said. 

The 27-year-old, who was the first uncapped Indian to hit a fifty in the WPL, said that the knock was life-changing. 

"A lot of things have changed in my life after that innings. The knock gave me the confidence that I can score runs at this stage. And because of that knock, I can handle things in the future in a positive way. The experience has been valuable."