Malolan on RCB Loss: 'You'd Rather Have This Sooner Than Later'
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) suffered a seven-wicket defeat to the Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026, ending their five-match winning streak. Despite the setback, acting head coach Malolan Rangarajan remained steadfast in his team's long-term goals, emphasizing the importance of qualification and the pursuit of the top spot.
In an exclusive interview, Malolan discussed the loss, the team's mindset, and the strategic decisions made during the match. He highlighted the team's professionalism and their commitment to finding solutions, even in challenging circumstances.
The Importance of Qualification and Top Spot
Malolan began by addressing the team's qualification for the tournament, stating, 'Qualification is important, but we are not here just to qualify. We want to seal the top spot.' This sentiment underscores the team's ambition and their desire to perform at their best throughout the competition.
He continued, 'So brushing this result under the carpet isn't easier just because we've qualified. We need to understand what the conditions are and find solutions.' This approach reflects the team's resilience and their willingness to learn from setbacks.
Analyzing the Loss and Team Performance
Malolan provided a detailed analysis of the match, acknowledging that the Delhi Capitals outperformed RCB in all aspects of the game. He said, 'DC did outplay us in all three departments today, be it batting, bowling, and fielding.' This honest assessment highlights the team's commitment to self-reflection and improvement.
Despite the loss, Malolan emphasized the positive aspects of the team's performance over the last six games, stating, 'So when you have a game like this, you'd rather have it sooner than later so the girls can go and reflect, and as a group, we can come back with better answers.' This mindset fosters a culture of continuous improvement and learning from mistakes.
Pitch Conditions and Batting Strategy
Malolan addressed the pitch conditions, noting that they weren't straightforward, especially early on. He said, 'It wasn't necessarily the easiest pitch to bat on, especially in the PowerPlay.' However, he refrained from using the conditions as an excuse, focusing instead on the team's performance and decision-making.
Regarding the batting strategy, Malolan explained that the team's batters were trying to hit their way out of a challenging situation on a pitch that typically demands patience and application. He said, 'The way we want to play, it sometimes might look like those were attacking shots, but you see the options they took.' This approach demonstrates the team's adaptability and willingness to take calculated risks.
Batting Order Decisions and Player Roles
The batting order decisions, particularly regarding Radha Yadav's role, have been a topic of discussion. Malolan clarified that the move to promote Richa Ghosh to No. 5 was less about form and more about timing and clarity of roles. He said, 'We also have to make sure our resource allocation is at its best as much as possible.'
Malolan expressed confidence in Richa Ghosh's high-impact style, stating that the trade-off was deliberate. He said, 'The tactical side of it was that it felt as though if Richa could get going and get about 20-30 quick runs at that time, I'd take that any day.' This decision showcases the team's strategic thinking and their willingness to make tough choices for the greater good.
Recognizing Impact Contributions
Malolan also highlighted Radha Yadav's impact contributions, which often go unnoticed on conventional scorecards. He said, 'Radha showed the other side of a game in the previous game... Even though she didn't score a 50, on that pitch, scoring 18 of seven [17 off 8 balls] was brilliant. She batted at 200 strike rate.' This recognition underscores the team's commitment to valuing all players' contributions.
In conclusion, Malolan's insights provide a comprehensive understanding of the team's mindset, strategies, and decision-making process. His emphasis on qualification, top spot aspirations, and continuous improvement sets a positive tone for RCB's journey in the WPL 2026.
