Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants
When the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Giants clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru at 7:30 pm IST, it will be a battle of two teams looking to turn their fortunes around. RCB, despite their recent setbacks, have shown flashes of brilliance in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. After two impressive victories, they stumbled in a nail-biting defeat to Mumbai Indians on the second-last ball and then lost to UP Warriorz in a Super Over, despite dominating for much of the game. The pressure is mounting, especially as the tournament heads into its crucial stages, and RCB will be desperate to reclaim their momentum at home.
Can Giants Find Form?
Gujarat Giants, however, are in a more precarious position. They have consistently struggled in recent WPL seasons, finishing at the bottom of the table in 2023 and 2024, and are facing the same fate this year. Their issues are multifaceted, starting from the top of the batting order. Beth Mooney, the veteran wicket-keeper, has been out of form, and Harleen Deol, while a reliable presence, is not a natural striker of the ball. The team’s run rate of 5.79 is the worst in the league, and they have scored the fewest runs, hit the least boundaries (16 fours and four sixes), and lost the most wickets (11) during the powerplay. The reliance on Ashleigh Gardner and Deandra Dottin, who have also failed to ignite in the last two matches, is a concerning trend. Giants might need one of these star players to move up the order to inject some assertiveness into their batting lineup.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: LLWW
RCB’s recent form, while marked by two consecutive losses, still showcases their potential. In their last four matches, they have a record of LLWW, indicating a strong start followed by a couple of tough defeats. The team has a solid record against Giants, having won three out of five encounters, including a convincing victory in this year’s season opener. Additionally, RCB has never lost to Giants at their home ground, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. With the current purple cap (leading wicket-taker) and orange cap (leading run-scorer) holders in their ranks, RCB is well-positioned to bounce back and climb up the points table before the Bengaluru leg concludes.
Gujarat Giants: LWLL
On the other hand, Gujarat Giants’ recent form is a cause for concern. Their last four matches read LWLL, highlighting a mix of one victory and three consecutive losses. The team made three changes to their playing XI in the previous game but opted not to have Phoebe Litchfield open the innings. This decision could be revisited, with Litchfield possibly moving to the top and Harleen Deol shifting to the No. 3 position. Simran Shaikh has underperformed, and there is a strong possibility that Giants might bring in Dayalan Hemalatha to bolster their batting. The team will need to address their powerplay woes and find a way to spark their middle order to stand a chance against RCB.
Key Players: Ellyse Perry and Kashvee Gautam
Ellyse Perry has been a standout performer for RCB in WPL 2025. Despite entering the tournament with a hip injury, she has adapted remarkably, leading the run charts with 235 runs in four innings at an excellent average of 117.50. In the last game against Warriorz, Perry broke through to become WPL’s all-time leading run-scorer, surpassing Meg Lanning. While she has not bowled in RCB’s first three matches, her two overs in the previous game yielded a wicket. If Perry can contribute with a full quota of four overs, it could significantly balance RCB’s all-round capabilities.
A Bright Spot for Giants: Kashvee Gautam
Kashvee Gautam has been a rare bright spot for Gujarat Giants in an otherwise disappointing tournament. Drafted for a hefty INR 2 crore at the WPL auction in 2024, Gautam’s injury ruled her out of that season. However, Giants retained her, and she is making them look wise with her performances. Gautam has picked up five wickets in the last three games, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 6.00, which is the fourth-best among bowlers who have bowled a minimum of 30 balls in this WPL. Her 15-ball 20 against Mumbai was a notable performance, but she will need to find consistency with the bat to truly solidify her impact. With the right adjustments, Giants could find a way to leverage Gautam’s skills and turn their season around.
