WPL 2026: Has Gautami Replaced Prema as RCB Chooses to Bowl Against UPW?
Synopsis
The excitement of the Women's Premier League 2026 continues as RCB opts to bowl first after winning the toss. With Gautami Naik stepping in for Prema Rawat, will this change lead to victory against the UP Warriorz? Tune in for all the action from Navi Mumbai.
Key Takeaways
RCB won the toss and chose to field.
Gautami Naik replaced Prema Rawat in RCB's lineup.
Dew is a significant factor in the match strategy.
UP Warriorz retained the same team as before.
Team strategies are crucial in tournaments like WPL.
Navi Mumbai, Jan 12 (NationPress) The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won the toss and opted to field against the UP Warriorz during the fifth match of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 held at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Monday. RCB made a change by bringing in Gautami Naik for Prema Rawat, while UP Warriorz retained the same playing XI as their previous match.
RCB's captain, Smriti Mandhana, stated, "We chose to bowl first today. Dew has been a factor in the later stages of the innings. Our first match strategy worked well for us. DY Patil is known for facilitating chases. In yesterday's game, DC almost managed to chase the target. At DY Patil Stadium, no score feels secure. It's crucial for us as a batting unit to gauge our target effectively."
"Nadine (de Klerk) has been pivotal for us in both batting and bowling. In tournaments like these, certain players will shine in different matches. Everyone is eager to contribute, especially in the top order. We hope to see new match-winners emerge in every game. Today, Gautami replaces Prema," Mandhana added.
Meanwhile, UP Warriorz's captain, Meg Lanning, remarked, "We were also considering a chase, but teams batting first have performed well this season. Nonetheless, we must bat effectively. We aim for a solid start and to set a commendable score. We executed several aspects correctly in our previous match, maintaining competitiveness and delivering some strong bowling. We spent a productive week together, and we aim to enhance our performance tonight for a victory. We’re unchanged from the last match."
Playing XIs:
UP Warriorz Women: Kiran Prabhu Navgire, Meg Lanning (c), Phoebe Litchfield, Shweta Sehrawat (wk), Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Deandra Dottin, Kranti Gaud, Asha Shobana, Shikha Pandey
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women: Grace Harris, Smriti Mandhana (c), Dayalan Hemalatha, Richa Ghosh (wk), Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Linsey Smith, Lauren Bell, Gautami Naik.
Point of View
I observe the evolving dynamics of the Women's Premier League closely. The strategic decisions made by teams like RCB reflect the increasing competitiveness and depth of talent within women's cricket. The inclusion of players like Gautami Naik emphasizes the tactical shifts teams are willing to make in pursuit of victory.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the outcome of the toss in the WPL 2026 match?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the toss and chose to field against UP Warriorz.
Who replaced Prema Rawat in the RCB lineup?
Gautami Naik replaced Prema Rawat in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad.
Why did RCB choose to bowl first?
RCB opted to bowl first due to the dew factor affecting the latter stages of the innings.
Who is leading the UP Warriorz team?
Meg Lanning is the captain of the UP Warriorz.
What is the significance of DY Patil Stadium for chases?
DY Patil Stadium is known for being a favorable ground for teams chasing targets.
