Preview: The highly anticipated third edition of the WPL 2025 (Women’s Premier League) will finally get underway as Gujarat Giants Women (GJ-W) and defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB-W) will take on each other in the opening game of the season on Friday, February 14, at the Kotambi Stadium, in Vadodara.
Gujarat finished at the bottom position of the points table in the previous season having won just two games out of eight matches with four points to their name. But with leadership change, the Giants will be hoping for a change in fortune.
Meanwhile, RCB lifted their maiden title in the 2024 season under Smriti Mandhana. The side was the third team to qualify for the playoffs after winning four out of eight league games. In the summit clash against Delhi Capitals, the Bengaluru-based franchise comfortably chased down a total of 113 with eight wickets and three balls to spare.
WPL 2025, 1st T20 Match, GJ-W vs RCB-W
Venue: Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara
Date & Time: Friday, February 14, 07:30 PM
Pitch Report: The pitch of the Kotambi Stadium seems a bowling-friendly one. Batters need to struggle here to post a high total on the board. The ground sets offer more assistance to spinners as compared to pacers. Kotambi’s dry and turning surface will also help the spinners. Early movement for pacers is expected, but as the game progresses, spinners are likely to dominate. Batting first is often a better choice, especially as the pitch slows down.
PROBABLE PLAYING XI
Gujarat Giants Women (GJ-W)- Ashleigh Gardner (c), Laura Wolvaardt, Harleen Deol, Phoebe Litchfield, Beth Mooney (wk), Priya Mishra, Sayali Satghare, Meghna Singh, Mannat Kashyap, Dayalan Hemalatha, Mannat Kashyap
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB-W)- Smriti Mandhana (C), Daniell Wyatt, Sabbhineni Meghana, Ellyse Perry, Kanika Ahuja, Georgia Wareham, Richa Ghosh (WK), Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, Renuka Singh, Kim Garth
