The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 showcases another thrilling encounter as Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB) take on Gujarat Giants Women (GG) at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on February 27, 2025. This match marks the 12th of the season, and both teams are desperately seeking victory after experiencing recent setbacks.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women started their campaign strong but faltered recently, ending up with two wins and two losses. Their last game against UP Warriorz ended dramatically, as they lost by just four runs during a super over. Currently sitting third on the points table, they are eager to secure all points against Gujarat Giants.
Conversely, the Gujarat Giants Women find themselves at the bottom of the table with one win and three losses, the latest being a disappointing six-wicket defeat to Delhi Capitals Women. Their struggle for form persists, and against RCB, they aim to revive their chances of advancing to the playoffs.
Strategic Moves by Captains
Gujarat Giants’ captain Ashleigh Gardner won the toss and opted to bowl first, stating, "Chasing seems to be easier throughout the competition. Hopefully, we'll be able to take early wickets." Gardner emphasized the importance of the powerplay for their bowlers and making adjustments individually as the match progresses.
On the other hand, RCB captain Smriti Mandhana expressed her desire to chase as well but acknowledged the advantages of adapting to different match situations. She mentioned, "We've been really close in the last two games... It's very hard to lose close games. Fans are always our strength." Both captains highlighted the significance of their team’s performance today, as the upcoming matches could dictate their road to the playoffs.
Key Players to Watch
Ellyse Perry has emerged as one of RCB's standout performers, scoring 235 runs across four matches with three fifties, including her latest impressive knock of 90 runs against UP Warriorz. Her all-round capabilities make her invaluable to the side. Likewise, Renuka Singh has bagged seven wickets already and will headline RCB's bowling attack as they look to restrict Gujarat's batting lineup.
Gujarat Giants will rely heavily on Ashleigh Gardner, not only for her leadership but also for her impactful performances, as she has been pivotal to the team’s efforts with both bat and ball. She has scored 144 runs alongside taking five wickets over the four matches played so far.
Formation and Expectations
The likely playing XI for Royal Challengers Bengaluru includes:
- Smriti Mandhana (c)
- Danielle Wyatt-Hodge
- Ellyse Perry
- Richa Ghosh (w)
- Raghvi Bist
- Kanika Ahuja
- Georgia Wareham
- Sneh Rana
- Kim Garth
- Prema Rawat
- Renuka Singh Thakur
While Gujarat Giants are set to face RCB with the following lineup:
- Beth Mooney (w)
- Harleen Deol
- Phoebe Litchfield
- Dayalan Hemalatha
- Ashleigh Gardner (c)
- Kashvee Gautam
- Deandra Dottin
- Meghna Singh
- Tanuja Kanwar
- Priya Mishra
- Bharti Fulmali
Both teams have their strengths, but RCB will look to consolidate their higher net run rate as they vie for the second spot, potentially matching table-toppers Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals.
Match Details
The match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women and Gujarat Giants Women will commence at 7:30 PM IST, following the toss which is scheduled for 7:00 PM IST. Fans can catch the live action through JioHotstar's streaming service or tune in to Star Sports Network for the televised broadcast.
This match not only holds importance for the points on the table but also carries the weight of momentum as the teams gear up for the latter part of the tournament. Will RCB bounce back to form, or will Gujarat Giants rise from the ashes for their second win? Cricket fans await this exciting showdown!