GGW vs RCBW Match Prediction & Analysis Shriram Book
Shriram Book Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women will kick off the 2025 Women’s Premier League at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara against Gujarat Giants. Last year, both teams finished with a 1-1 head-to-head record.
After being humbled by RCBW in Bengaluru, the Giants bounced back in Delhi with a 199-run total, which they defended successfully. Laura Wolvaardt and Beth Mooney, the match-winning players of that game, will continue to play for Gujarat this season.
They’ve retained most of their key players from last year. Batting all-rounder Deandra Dottin will further strengthen the Giants’ batting lineup. For RCBW, some major changes include the exclusion of Nadine de Klerk and Sophie Devine.
They have brought in Danielle Wyatt-Hodge and Heather Graham to replace the two overseas players. Overall, the defending champions have a great-looking squad that should pose a tough challenge to the hosts in this game.
TEAMS PREVIEW
Gujarat Giants Preview
Gujarat Giants are coming into this season with a strong squad. They had some big names last year too. Despite being strong on paper, the performances from the Giants did not live up to the expectations.
Of the only 2 wins last year, one came against RCB Women in Delhi. Wolvaardt and Mooney will be the key players in the top order. The two need to get the hosts off to a big start.
It needs to be seen if Deandra Dottin makes it to the XI. She can add strength to this middle order, which had been quite underwhelming last season. Ashleigh Gardner and Phoebe Litchfield are the ones to watch out for in the middle order.
These two need to step up and deliver significant performances to build the innings and set the platform for a big finish. Dayalan Hemalatha is the one tasked with finishing responsibility in this batting order.
There are many other all-rounders like Harleen Deol, Meghna Singh, and Danielle Gibson in this squad that offer skipper Beth Mooney many options to add depth to the batting lineup and variety to the bowling attack.
There is no Lea Tahuhu or Kathryn Bryce in the squad this year. As such, Ashleigh Gardner will have the majority of the wicket-taking responsibility. She needs support from Tanuja Kanwar and Shabnam Md Shakil.
Bowling is a concern for the Giants going into this game. They have a great number of options in the squad and should back themselves to start on a winning note.
Gujarat Giants predicted playing XI:
Beth Mooney (c & wk), Simran Shaikh, Harleen Deol, Phoebe Litchfield, Dayalan Hemalatha, Ashleigh Gardner, Danielle Gibson, Meghna Singh, Tanuja Kanwar, Lea Tahuhu, Meghna Singh
Royal Challengers Bangalore Preview
RCB Women have made some big changes to the squad. Danielle Wyatt-Hodge and Heather Graham have come into the squad. Wyatt-Hodge is very likely to make it to the XI.
She is a reliable batter whose inclusion will not affect the team balance. While Graham is also a great all-rounder who’s been consistent in delivering breakthroughs for Australia, it is not clear if she could get a spot in the XI since there are way too many bowling all-rounders she’d be competing with.
Smriti Mandhana is leading a strong batting lineup that also features Ellyse Perry and Richa Ghosh in the middle order. Georgia Wareham follows in the lower middle order and adds much-needed depth to this star-studded batting lineup.
The batting lineup is a lot deep, with Shreyanka Patil and Sophie Molineux in the lower order. This also allows the skipper to have plenty of options in the bowling department.
Smriti Mandhana will be the key batter for RCB Women. Her form is crucial, and she will be eager to open the innings alongside Danielle Wyatt-Hodge. Renkuka Thakur Singh will lead the bowling attack for RCB.
She’s got support from all-rounders like Molinuex, Wareham, and Shreyanka Patil. Kim Garth has replaced Kate Cross in the bowling department this year and will be a key figure in this squad.
Royal Challengers Bangalore Predicted Playing XI:
Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Smriti Mandhana (c), Sabbhineni Meghana, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh (wk), Georgia Wareham, Sophie Molineux, Shreyanka Patil, and Ekta Bisht Asha Sobhana, Renuka Thakur Singh
Weather Conditions
It will be clear and sunny in Vadodara with a high of 33 degrees Celsius. The weather would stay clear around the match time in the evening too. The temperature would drop to 23 degrees during the match, and there are no signs of cloud or rain.
GGW vs RCBW Pitch Report
Pitch Condition
Batting
Batting Conditions
High Scoring
Pace Bowling
Pace Bounce
Spin Bowling
Average Turn
There is not much known about this pitch. There have been 3 one-day internationals here, and the average 1st inning score is 278 runs. It seems like a high-scoring venue, but the last T20 game here was a very low-scoring affair. We expect a good wicket for batting this time around. The team batting first should aim for something over 165 to be in a competitive position.
Toss: To Bowl
The team batting first won the only T20 game played here last season. Gujarat Giants lost to Mumbai Indians while chasing 106 runs in WPL 2024 on this ground. However, since it is an evening game, we reckon chasing would be a better option, and the pitch would also be quite batting-friendly given it’s the opening game of the season.
GGW vs RCBW
Winning Prediction
There is depth in both batting lineups, and there are plenty of all-rounders in both squads. Both teams seem well-matched as far as squad strengths go. However, RCB women have a slight upper hand in the batting department. They’ve got more reliable batters throughout the order. RCB will start as favorites in our match prediction.
RCB Women to win
https://www.thetopbookies.com/betting-tips/cricket/ggw-vs-rcbw-14-Feb-2025