Who’s Playing
The highly anticipated clash of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 sees Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) facing off against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on February 21, 2025. This match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams bringing their A-game to the field.
What to Expect: RCB’s Indian Unit vs MI’s Overseas Players
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are riding high on the momentum of a strong start to the season. Despite the absence of several key players from last year, their Indian unit has stepped up magnificently. Smriti Mandhana continues to dazzle with the bat, while Richa Ghosh, following her stellar performance against Delhi Capitals and a remarkable fielding display against Gujarat Giants, has been in fine form. Renuka Singh’s new-ball bowling has been a significant asset, making her a crucial player for the team. Playing at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where they won three out of five games last season, RCB will be eager to leverage their home advantage and continue their winning streak.
On the other side, Mumbai Indians (MI) have been relying heavily on their overseas players to secure their performances. Nat Sciver-Brunt has been the star performer, contributing significantly with both bat and ball. Her 80 off 59 balls against Delhi Capitals and a vital 57 against Gujarat Giants have been invaluable. In the bowling department, Hayley Mathews and Amelia Kerr have been the key wicket-takers, providing the much-needed stability. MI will be looking for more support from their Indian line-up, especially in the batting department, to ensure they can compete more effectively and put up bigger scores.
Team News and Likely XIs
RCB made a strategic change by replacing Prema Rawat with experienced left-arm spinner Ekta Bisht for the match against Delhi Capitals. Bisht’s return to the playing XI was marked by impressive figures of 2-35, including the dismissals of Marizanne Kapp and Jess Jonassen. The likely lineup for RCB includes Smriti Mandhana as captain, with Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Ellyse Perry, Raghvi Bist, Richa Ghosh (wicket-keeper), Kanika Ahuja, Georgia Wareham, Ekta Bisht, Kim Garth, VJ Joshitha, and Renuka Singh.
Mumbai Indians also made adjustments to their team, bringing in Parunika Sisodia for Saika Ishaque and G Kamalini for Jintimani Kalita before their match against Gujarat Giants. Kamalini, playing down the order, managed a boundary off the only ball she faced, while Sisodia leaked 20 runs in her two overs. The probable lineup for MI includes Yastika Bhatia (wicket-keeper), Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur as captain, Amelia Kerr, G Kamalini, S Sajana, Amanjot Kaur, Sanskriti Gupta, Shabnim Ismail, and Parunika Sisodia.
Players to Watch: Renuka Singh and Hayley Mathews
Renuka Singh, who had a relatively quiet WPL 2024, has made a remarkable comeback this season. Building on her impressive 10-wicket haul in the West Indies ODIs in Vadodara, she has taken five wickets in RCB’s last two games. Her work on improving her pace and outswing has paid off, and she will be crucial as the team looks to maintain their strong performance in Bengaluru.
Hayley Mathews, despite not having the best of starts with the bat, has been a vital asset with the ball for MI. She dismissed the dangerous Shafali Verma with her offspin in the first game and followed it up with frugal figures of 3 for 16 in the second, earning the Player-of-the-Match award. Her ability to restrict the opposition and take wickets will be crucial for MI as they aim to build momentum.
Stats That Matter
The historical encounters between RCB and MI in the WPL paint an interesting picture. RCB has won two out of their five games against MI, with Ellyse Perry being the standout performer. In the reverse fixture in Delhi, Perry bagged astounding figures of 6 for 15, and she followed it up with a crucial 66 off 50 in the Eliminator to lead RCB to the final. Interestingly, all six matches in the WPL 2025 so far have been won by the chasing side, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this clash.
Conclusion
The upcoming match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Mumbai Indians at the Chinnaswamy Stadium is shaping up to be a thrilling spectacle. With RCB’s Indian contingent in fine form and MI banking on their overseas stars, the stage is set for an intense battle. The home crowd in Bengaluru will add to the excitement, and the recent trend of chasing teams winning adds another dynamic to the game. Both teams will be looking to capitalize on their strengths and secure a crucial victory in this high-stakes encounter.
