Defending champions RCB set an opening date with GG in WPL 2025
The third season of Women’s Premier League (WPL) will be underway on Friday as the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru take on Gujarat Giants at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.
Head-To-Head
Gujarat Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have played four matches against each other and both teams have won two each.
Squads
Gujarat Giants: Ashleigh Gardner (C), Beth Mooney (WK), Dayalan Hemalatha, Harleen Deol, Laura Wolvaardt, Shabnam Shakil, Tanuja Kanwar, Phoebe Litchfield, Meghna Singh, Kashvee Gautam, Priya Mishra, Mannat Kashyap, Sayali Sathgare, Simran Shaikh, Deandra Dottin, Prakashika Naik, Danielle Gibson
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Smriti Mandhana (C), Sabbineni Meghana, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh (WK), Georgia Wareham, Shreyanka Patil, Renuka Singh Thakur, Ekta Bisht, Kanika Ahuja, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Heather Graham, Kim Garth, Charlie Dean, Prema Rawat, Joshitha VJ, Jagravi Pawar, Raghvi Bisht
Players to watch out
Smriti Mandhana: The captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru is in the purplest of patches and would look to carry forward her envious international form to franchise cricket. In the absence of Sophie Devine, her regular opening partner in WPL, the stylish southpaw will be expected to shoulder additional responsibility.
Renuka Singh Thakur: It is quite shocking that this right arm medium pacer of India has snapped just three wickets in 16 WPL matches. However, there are no second thoughts about her talent and calibre. With the spin department looking slightly weak with Asha Sobhana and Sophie Molineux missing out, the responsibility to pick wickets regularly will rest on the shoulders of Renuka Singh Thakur.
Ashleigh Gardner: The new captain of Gujarat Giants will want to revive the fortunes of her team in this season of WPL. Having ended up at the bottom of the points table in the last two editions, her leadership will be tested. Besides, being an all-rounder, she will have to work over time to put her team in a better position.
Beth Mooney: The left-handed opening batter of Gujarat Giants is fresh from a successful Ashes series, in which she bludgeoned runs for fun. Also, she had a wonderful outing in the WBBL, finishing third on the list of top run getters. Her role both in front and behind stumps will be crucial.
Match details
Date: February 14, 2025
Time: 7:30 PM
Venue: Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara
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