Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025: Gujarat Giants vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru – Match Preview, Head-to-Head, Squads & Prediction

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 season is set to kick off today, February 14, with an exciting clash between the Gujarat Giants and the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The match will be held at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, starting at 7:30 PM IST.

 Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025: Gujarat Giants vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru Head-to-Head Record

Over the past two WPL seasons, Gujarat Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have faced off four times, with each team securing two victories. Their encounters have been highly competitive, often resulting in high-scoring thrillers. This balanced history adds to the excitement as both teams look to establish dominance in the opening match of the season.

Key Players to Watch

Gujarat Giants:

• Beth Mooney (Captain & Wicketkeeper): A seasoned batter known for her consistency at the top order.

  • Recent Record: Scored an unbeaten 94 runs against England, showcasing her ability to anchor the innings.

• Ashleigh Gardner: A world-class all-rounder who can make a difference with both bat and ball.

  • Batting: Known for explosive stroke play.

  • Bowling: Took 4 wickets for 39 runs in a Test match against England.

• Laura Wolvaardt: An elegant batter with the ability to anchor the innings.

  • Recent Record: Accumulated 1,593 international runs across all formats in 2024.

• Kashvee Gautam: A promising young bowler who can provide crucial breakthroughs.

  • Bowling: Rising star with an ability to pick crucial wickets.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru:

• Smriti Mandhana (Captain): The explosive opener and leader of the RCB squad.

  • Recent Record: Scored 1,602 international runs in 2024, making her the highest run-scorer of the year.

• Ellyse Perry: One of the greatest all-rounders in the game, offering stability and power.

  • Batting: Recently scored 105 runs off 75 balls against India.

  • Bowling: A reliable medium-fast bowler.

• Sophie Devine: A powerful batter and handy bowler, crucial for RCB’s balance.

• Richa Ghosh (Wicketkeeper): A dynamic wicketkeeper-batter who can accelerate in the middle overs.

  • Recent Record: Top-scored with 54 runs against Australia in a crucial match.

• Renuka Singh: A talented fast bowler with an impressive track record, known for her ability to swing the ball both ways.

  • Bowling: Renowned for early breakthroughs and maintaining pressure on batters.

 Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025: Gujarat Giants vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squads

Gujarat Giants Squad:

1. Beth Mooney (Captain, Wicketkeeper)

2. Ashleigh Gardner

3. Harleen Deol

4. Dayalan Hemalatha

5. Laura Wolvaardt

6. Tanuja Kanwar

7. Shabnam Shakil

8. Meghna Singh

9. Phoebe Litchfield

10. Kashvee Gautam

11. Priya Mishra

12. Mannat Kashyap

13. Danielle Gibson

14. Deandra Dottin

15. Bharti Fulmali

16. Simran Shaikh

17. Sayali Satghare

18. Prakashika Naik

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Squad:

1. Smriti Mandhana (Captain)

2. Ellyse Perry

3. Sophie Devine

4. Richa Ghosh (Wicketkeeper)

5. Renuka Singh

6. Danni Wyatt

7. Sabbhineni Meghana

8. Asha Sobhana

9. Georgia Wareham

10. Kanika Ahuja

11. Shreyanka Patil

12. Ekta Bisht

13. Jagravi Pawar

14. Kate Cross

15. Sophie Molineux

16. Prema Rawat

17. Raghvi Bist

18. VJ Joshitha

Match Prediction

Considering the balanced head-to-head record and the competitive nature of past encounters, today's match is expected to be a closely fought battle. Both teams boast a mix of experienced international stars and young domestic talents, making it difficult to pick a clear favorite. However, as defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru may have a slight edge with their well-rounded squad and strong leadership.

Fans can expect an exciting, high-energy contest as the Women’s Premier League 2025 season gets underway.

Stay tuned for live updates and enjoy the match!