Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lock horns with Gujarat Giants (GG) as Smriti Mandhana won the toss and elected to bowl first in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 opener at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. on February 14.
After winning the toss, RCB captain Smriti Mandhana said:
"It's good to be back in Baroda. We were here a month back. I thought it was going to be Gujarat's home ground but looks like it is our home ground. We would like to bowl first. Dew is a big factor so it is better to a few overs out before dew comes in. We had good practice sessions, preparation has been good. Few forced changes. Perry, Wareham, Danny and Kim are the four overseas players"
Meanwhile, GG skipper Ashleigh Gardner, after losing the toss, said:
"We were going to bowl as well but that's okay. We have built a good rapport with the Gujarat girls. We have got youth and experience in our team. Excited to get started. Five debutants".
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Playing XI:
Smriti Mandhana(c), Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Ellyse Perry, Raghvi Bist, Richa Ghosh(w), Kanika Ahuja, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Prema Rawat, Joshitha V J, Renuka Thakur Singh
Gujarat Giants' Playing XI:
Laura Wolvaardt, Beth Mooney(w), Dayalan Hemalatha, Ashleigh Gardner(c), Deandra Dottin, Harleen Deol, Simran Shaikh, Tanuja Kanwar, Sayali Satghare, Priya Mishra, Kashvee Gautam
Pitch report:
"Dimensions - One side it is 60 metres and other side it is 51 metres and straight down the ground it is 61 metres. It is a black soil pitch and it is very well rolled. The surface is really hard, and the cracks are not too wide, Maybe for the first couple of overs, the seamers might get some help, but reckon it is going to be a good batting wicket. There might be dew in the second innings," reckon Charles Dagnall and Mithali Raj.
Head-to-Head
Gujarat Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru have locked horns with each other on four occasions in WPL so far and both teams have registered two wins each.