WPL 2024, Match 5: Royal Challengers Bangalore Women vs Gujarat Giants Match Preview

After all the hardships in 2023, in which Royal Challengers Bangalore failed to qualify for the playoffs of the inaugural season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), the Smiriti Mandhana-led side built a stronger side and remarkably started the 2024 edition. They defeated UP Warriorz by two runs in a nail-biting game at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore and will be confident of getting the job done again when they take on Gujarat Giants on (Tuesday) February 27.

Meanwhile, Gujarat lacks firepower. They have some of the best foreign recruits in the form of Beth Mooney, Phoebe Litchfield, Ashleigh Gardner and Lea Tuhuhu among a few others but the Indian quota looks to be slightly on the weaker side. When it comes to RCB, they have the likes of Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, Shreyanka Patil and Renuka Singh among Indian players while in comparison, Gujarat have Veda Krishnamurthy, Harleen Deol and Dayalan Hemalatha - who are decent players but far away from owning the title match winner.

Tanuja Kanwar proved her worth with both bat and bowl and that’s a positive sign for Gujarat. She would key for the side against Bangalore alongside the foreigners. Mooney, Gardner and Litchfield have enough potential to change the course of the game at any time and the Giants would expect something spectacular from them to win their first game of the season.

When it comes to RCB on the other hand, they will be relaxed as the young Sabbhineni Meghana and Richa looked brilliant in the last match and one can always put their money on Mandhana and Ellyse Perry. The bowlers too did a commendable job, especially Asha Sobhana, who became the first Indian cricketer to pick up a five-for in the history of the WPL.

M Chinnaswamy Stadium Pitch Report

The M Chinnaswamy Stadium provides some fantastic batting wickets. However, the bowlers had their fair bit of success in the ongoing season. Bowling first will be ideal in these conditions and anything over 10 runs an over will be a decent total on the board.

RCB-W vs GG, WPL 2024 Match 5:

Royal Challengers Bangalore Women (BAN-W) XI

RCB are unlikely to change their winning squad for the WPL 2024 match against Gujarat. Sophie Devine’s form can only be a matter of discussion but the team management is unlikely to bat an eye.

Probable Playing XI: Smriti Mandhana (c), Sophie Devine, Sabbhineni Meghana, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh (wk), Sophie Molineux, Georgia Wareham, Shreyanka Patil, Simran Bahadur, Sobhana Asha, Renuka Thakur Singh

Gujarat Giants (GG) XI

Gujarat need changes but there aren’t enough quality players available for selection. They might give the same squad another chance.

Probable Playing XI: Beth Mooney (wk/c), Veda Krishnamurthy, Phoebe Litchfield, Harleen Deol, Ashleigh Gardner, Dayalan Hemalatha, Sneh Rana, Tanuja Kanwar, Kathryn Bryce, Lea Tahuhu, Meghna Singh

RCB-W vs GG Head-to-Head Records: