Defending champions RCB take on Gujarat Giants in the WPL 2025 opener. Can Smriti Mandhana’s side overcome Ashleigh Gardner’s Giants? Match preview, team news & key players.
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RCB vs Gujarat Giants: WPL 2025 Opener Promises Fireworks 🎇🏏
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 is set to kick off with a blockbuster opening clash between defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Giants at the Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, on February 14, 2025, at 7:30 PM IST.
With Smriti Mandhana leading RCB and Ashleigh Gardner captaining Giants, fans can expect an electrifying battle. Adding intrigue, Ellyse Perry’s fitness concerns and Beth Mooney’s opening dilemma for Giants are key talking points ahead of this marquee clash.
Team News & Predicted XIs 👥📋
Gujarat Giants
The biggest selection headache for the Giants is choosing Beth Mooney’s opening partner. With Deandra Dottin a sure-shot pick, either Laura Wolvaardt or Phoebe Litchfield might have to sit out.
🔹 Gujarat Giants (Probable XI):
1️⃣ Beth Mooney (wk)
2️⃣ Laura Wolvaardt
3️⃣ Harleen Deol
4️⃣ Deandra Dottin
5️⃣ Dayalan Hemalatha
6️⃣ Ashleigh Gardner (capt)
7️⃣ Simran Shaikh
8️⃣ Sayali Satghare
9️⃣ Meghna Singh
🔟 Tanuja Kanwar
1️⃣1️⃣ Kashvee Gautam / Shabnam Shakil / Mannat Kashyap
Royal Challengers Bengaluru
RCB enters the tournament with some concerns over Ellyse Perry’s fitness after her hip injury during the Women’s Ashes Test. If Perry is unavailable, RCB could push Georgia Wareham to No. 4 and include Charlie Dean in the XI.
🔹 RCB (Probable XI):
1️⃣ Smriti Mandhana (capt)
2️⃣ Danni Wyatt-Hodge
3️⃣ S Meghana
4️⃣ Ellyse Perry / Georgia Wareham
5️⃣ Richa Ghosh (wk)
6️⃣ Raghvi Bist
7️⃣ Kanika Ahuja
8️⃣ Georgia Wareham / Charlie Dean
9️⃣ Jagravi Pawar
🔟 Kim Garth
1️⃣1️⃣ Renuka Singh
Key Players to Watch 🔥👀
🟠 Deandra Dottin (Gujarat Giants)
Dottin has the potential to turn games single-handedly. She made a triumphant return to international cricket just before the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, finishing as West Indies’ top scorer and taking five wickets at an economy of 5.42.
- T20I Strike Rate (vs Bangladesh): 203.70
- Total Runs in Three T20Is: 110
- Strengths: Power-hitting & death-over bowling
With her experience of playing ODIs in Kotambi, she could be a game-changer for Giants with both bat and ball.
🔵 Richa Ghosh (RCB)
One of the most destructive Indian batters in WPL, Richa Ghosh will be a key player for RCB in the middle order. Last season, she played a crucial role in RCB’s title-winning run and ranked third in the most sixes hit in WPL history.
- T20I Form (vs WI & IRE): Impressive
- RCB’s Power-Hitter: Dependable finisher
- Strengths: Big-hitting ability & match-winning temperament
RCB will rely heavily on her ability to close out matches, especially with Ellyse Perry’s fitness concerns.
