There’s this pretty exciting match coming up in the Women’s Premier League 2025 — it’s Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) vs Gujarat Giants. And honestly, a lot of people are talking about it because of the two captains: Smriti Mandhana for RCB and Ashleigh Gardner for Gujarat. Both are super talented, and seeing them go head-to-head is always something to look forward to.
Mandhana in Form, But Gardner Knows How to Stop Her
Smriti Mandhana’s been playing really well lately. You can just tell she’s feeling confident with the bat. But here’s the thing — Ashleigh Gardner has gotten her out a bunch of times before in T20s and ODIs. That kind of history makes you think, you know? Gardner might try to bowl early on just to get her out quickly and shake up RCB’s batting.
Now that she’s leading Gujarat Giants, Gardner will probably try to use all that past experience to her team’s advantage. Whether that actually works or not, we’ll have to see. Smriti’s in good touch, but pressure in big games can change everything. This one’s going to be a real test for both of them.
Gujarat Giants Hoping to Repeat Past Wins
Something that might give Gujarat a little extra boost — they’ve beaten RCB twice already in previous WPL seasons. One of those wins was actually their first-ever WPL victory, so that kind of moment stays with a team. They’ll walk into this match knowing they’ve done it before, and that belief can really matter.
With Gardner leading the way, the Giants will want to stick to what’s worked and maybe even throw in a few new tricks. RCB might be the defending champs, but Gujarat won’t be backing down. They’ve got some players who’ve done well in pressure situations, and they’ll be banking on that.
Who’s Playing and What’s the Team Looking Like?
For Gujarat Giants, picking the right opening pair is kind of a big deal. Most likely, we’ll see Beth Mooney and Deandra Dottin start things off. But the team has a bit of a decision to make when it comes to the next slot — Laura Wolvaardt or Phoebe Litchfield? Dottin’s experience, especially with her power-hitting and her bowling in the death overs, makes her a huge part of the team’s plans.
On the RCB side, there’s a bit of worry around Ellyse Perry. She’s been dealing with a hip injury, and while she might still play, it could affect how much of an impact she has. That said, if she’s fit enough, Perry is a game-changer in the middle order. Another name to keep an eye on is Richa Ghosh. That girl can really smack the ball — especially when it comes down to crunch time. If it’s a tight chase or RCB needs quick runs, she could be the one to turn it around.
A Few Numbers That Stand Out
Just to throw in some quick facts that might matter:
-
Ashleigh Gardner isn’t just the Giants’ captain — she’s also their top scorer (324 runs) and top wicket-taker (17 wickets). That says a lot.
-
Gujarat has switched up their opening pair eight times across two seasons. More than any other team. So yeah, they’re still figuring that part out.
-
RCB has two bowlers — Ekta Bisht and Heather Graham — who’ve taken T20I hat-tricks. Not something you see every day.
At the end of the day, this match is mostly about whether Gujarat can find a way to stop Mandhana and if RCB’s big hitters can come through again. With players like Gardner and Ghosh in the mix, this one’s got all the makings of a fun, close game. Let’s see how it all plays out.
