Debutant Nadine de Klerk replaces Ellyse Perry as RCB bowl first against DC in crucial game

Image Source : WPL Meg Lanning and Smriti Mandhana at the toss ahead of the WPL 2024 game on February 29

Royal Challengers Bangalore won the toss and elected to bowl first against Delhi Capitals in the seventh match of the Women's Premier League 2024 on Thursday. Both teams made one change to their playing eleven ahead of the crucial game at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The star Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry is missing out on the RCB's playing eleven due to illness and has been replaced by South Africa's Nadine de Klerk. Delhi Capitals have made one tactical change with the veteran spinner Jess Jonassen replacing compatriot Annabel Sutherland.

Both teams enter the game after impressive wins in their last games and will be looking to strengthen their position in the points table. Bangalore remain the only unbeaten side in WPL 2024 with two dominant wins in their opening two games.

Perry scored 23* off 14 against Gujarat Giants in the RCB's last game after struggling to contribute against UP Warriorz in the first match. Nadine de Klerk replaced Heather Knight who withdrew from the second edition of the tournament to focus on England's upcoming series against New Zealand in March.

"We would like to field first," Smriti Mandhana said. "We have seen a trend where there is something for the bowlers in the first 5-6 overs. Also, it is better to know the target in T20 cricket. That was the talk even before the season, not to depend on certain players and all the XI are good enough to win a game on their own. Perry misses out due to an illness. Nadine comes in and makes her debut. They have turned up in huge numbers and we feel we have 10 runs more due to their support. Really thankful to them."