The Women’s Premier League 2025 (WPL 2025) is finally here, and cricket fans are in for a thrilling ride. The opening match features Gujarat Giants (GG) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in what promises to be an exciting contest. With RCB looking to defend their title and GG aiming for redemption, this match is bound to set the tone for the season.
Gujarat Giants Team Preview
Gujarat Giants had a tough time in WPL 2024, finishing last in the table. With only two wins in eight games, they will be desperate to turn things around. This season offers them a fresh start, and they will look to prove their critics wrong.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Team Preview
Royal Challengers Bengaluru had a fantastic WPL 2024, clinching their maiden title. With a strong squad, including star batter Smriti Mandhana, they will look to start their campaign with a win and set the pace for another successful season.
WPL 2025, Match 1: Gujarat Giants (GG) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Match Details
Date and Time: 14th February, Friday, 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, Gujarat, India
Live Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar (app & website)/Star Sports Network
WPL 2025, Match 1: Gujarat Giants (GG) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Pitch Report
The pitch at Kotambi Stadium is expected to be balanced, favouring both batters and bowlers. Spinners might come into play as the game progresses, while pacers will get early movement.
WPL 2025, Match 1: Gujarat Giants (GG) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Weather Report
Vadodara is expected to have clear skies, with temperatures varying from a high of 33°C to a low of 18°C. The humidity level will be around 46%, and there will be light winds blowing at 10 kph.
WPL 2025, Match 1: Gujarat Giants (GG) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Probable Playing XIs
Gujarat Giants (GG) Predicted XI: 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 (RCB) Predicted XI: Smriti Mandhana (C), Daniell Wyatt, Sabbhineni Meghana, Ellyse Perry, Kanika Ahuja, Georgia Wareham, Richa Ghosh (WK), Shreyanka Patil, Ekta Bisht, Renuka Singh, Kim Garth
WPL 2025, Match 1: Gujarat Giants (GG) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Head-to-Head Records
So far, neither team has claimed bragging rights in the GG vs. RCB rivalry. Both teams have faced each other four times, with each side securing two victories.
Prediction: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to win the match.
WPL 2025, Match 1: Gujarat Giants (GG) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Key Players
Gujarat Giants (GG)
Ashleigh Gardner: The 27-year-old all-rounder had an underwhelming WPL 2024 season, scoring just 120 runs with a high score of 40 and picking up seven wickets with best bowling figures of 2/23 in eight appearances. Despite this, Gardner boasts an impressive international record, amassing 1411 runs with a high score of 93 and taking 78 wickets with best figures of 5/12 in 95 T20Is. She remains a crucial player for the Gujarat Giants, thanks to her experience and talent.
Simran Shaikh: After a disappointing WPL 2023 season with UP Warriorz, where she managed only 29 runs in nine matches with a high score of 11, Simran Shaikh made a strong comeback in the domestic circuit. She scored 176 runs in 11 matches during the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, averaging 22 with a strike rate of 100.57. In the Senior Women’s T20 Challengers Trophy, she displayed her explosive batting ability, scoring 81 runs at an impressive strike rate of 202.50. Her recent performances highlight her potential and resilience.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Smriti Mandhana: The Indian vice-captain has been in exceptional form throughout 2024, amassing 763 runs, which includes three consecutive fifties (54, 62, 77) in the recent T20I series against the West Indies.
With a career total of 3761 runs in 148 T20Is, she continues to be a key asset for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). In the WPL 2024, Mandhana scored 300 runs in 10 matches, with her highest score being 80, showcasing her consistency and impact on the game.
Raghvi Bist: A fearless middle-order batter, Raghvi Bist played a pivotal role in Uttarakhand’s successful domestic campaigns during the 2023-24 season. In the latest T20 season, she showcased her talent by scoring 158 runs in seven innings with a striking rate of 129.50, which included five powerful sixes.
Bist’s transition to international cricket was remarkable as well, making an immediate impact by scoring an unbeaten 31 off 22 balls in just her second match. Her dynamic batting style and ability to perform under pressure make her a valuable asset to any team.
WPL 2025, Match 1: Gujarat Giants (GG) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)– Dream 11 Prediction
Wicketkeeper:- Beth Mooney
Batters:- Smriti Mandhana, Daniell Wyatt, Laura Wolvaardt
All-Rounders:- Ellyse Perry (c), Ashleigh Gardner (vc), Deandra Dottin, Georgia Wareham
Bowlers:- Shreyanka Patil, Renuka Singh, Meghna Singh
WPL 2025, Match 1: Gujarat Giants (GG) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Gujarat Giants (GG) Squad: Laura Wolvaardt, Beth Mooney (w), Harleen Deol, Deandra Dottin, Dayalan Hemalatha, Ashleigh Gardner (c), Simran Shaikh, Meghna Singh, Sayali Satghare, Tanuja Kanwar, Priya Mishra, Kashvee Gautam, Mannat Kashyap, Shabnam Md Shakil, Prakashika Naik, Bharti Fulmali, Phoebe Litchfield, Danielle Gibson
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Squad: Smriti Mandhana (c), Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Ellyse Perry, Sabbhineni Meghana, Raghvi Bist, Richa Ghosh (w), Georgia Wareham, Kanika Ahuja, Kim Garth, Prema Rawat, Renuka Thakur Singh, Ekta Bisht, Heather Graham, Sophie Molineux, Shreyanka Patil, Jagravi Pawar, Nuzhat Parween, Joshitha V J
Click Here to get the latest news related to Women’s Cricket. You can also check about Match predictions here. Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more updates.
