Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 season kicks off with an exciting match. Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB-W) will face Gujarat Giants Women (GG-W) at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. The game is scheduled to start at 7:30 PM IST.
Team Previews
RCB-W, led by captain Smriti Mandhana, had a dominant performance last season. They secured the championship with an 8-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals Women in the final. The team boasts a strong lineup, including all-rounder Ellyse Perry and wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh. Their bowling attack is spearheaded by Renuka Thakur Singh, known for her swing bowling.
GG-W, captained by Ashleigh Gardner, are eager to improve upon their previous season’s performance. Their batting lineup features talents like Beth Mooney and Laura Wolvaardt, who are expected to provide solid starts. The all-round capabilities of Deandra Dottin add depth to both their batting and bowling departments.
Pitch and Conditions
The Kotambi Stadium pitch is known to be batting-friendly, offering assistance to pacers in the early overs. Teams winning the toss might prefer to chase, considering the balanced nature of the wicket. An ideal first-innings score is projected to be around 160-170 runs.
Dream11 Team Prediction
For fantasy cricket enthusiasts, here is a suggested Dream11 lineup:
- Wicketkeepers:
- Beth Mooney (GG-W)
- Richa Ghosh (RCB-W)
- Batters:
- Smriti Mandhana (RCB-W)
- Laura Wolvaardt (GG-W)
- All-rounders:
- Ellyse Perry (RCB-W)
- Ashleigh Gardner (GG-W)
- Deandra Dottin (GG-W)
- Georgia Wareham (RCB-W)
- Bowlers:
- Renuka Thakur Singh (RCB-W)
- Shabnam Shakil (GG-W)
Captain and Vice-Captain Choices:
- Captain: Beth Mooney (GG-W)
- Vice-Captain: Smriti Mandhana (RCB-W)
This combination balances experienced players with in-form talents, aiming to maximize points in fantasy leagues.
Match Prediction
RCB-W appears strong on paper, with a balanced squad and several match-winners. However, GG-W’s core group, including Mooney, Wolvaardt, and Gardner, makes them formidable opponents. Considering recent performances and team compositions, RCB-W is favored to win this opening match.
Cricket fans can look forward to a thrilling encounter as these two teams battle it out to start their WPL 2025 campaign on a high note.
