WPL 2025: RCB, the reigning champions, opt to bowl against GG in season opener
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Synopsis
In the opening match of WPL 2025, defending champions RCB opted to bowl first against the Gujarat Giants at Kodambi Stadium. Captain Smriti Mandhana humorously remarked on the crowd support and the importance of dew. New captain Ashleigh Gardner leads the Giants with five debutants in the lineup.
Key Takeaways
- RCB won the toss and chose to field first.
- Smriti Mandhana’s team received great support at the stadium.
- Ashleigh Gardner leads a fresh Gujarat Giants squad.
- The tournament will feature matches in Baroda, Bengaluru, and Lucknow.
- Final matches will take place at the iconic Brabourne Stadium.
Vadodara, Feb 14 (NationPress) The reigning titleholders Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) emerged victorious at the toss and chose to field first against the Gujarat Giants in the inaugural match of Women's Premier League (WPL) Season 3 at Kodambi Stadium today. The squad led by Smriti Mandhana received a warm reception at the stadium, even while up against the home team, prompting the captain to humorously comment that it felt like she was competing at her ‘home ground’.
“It’s great to return to Baroda. We were here a month ago. I assumed this would be Gujarat's home ground, but it seems like it's ours. We prefer to bowl first, as dew plays a significant role, so it’s wise to get a few overs in before it sets in. Our preparation has been solid, and the practice sessions were fruitful,” Smriti remarked during the toss.
On the flip side, the Gujarat Giants are under the leadership of Ashleigh Gardner, a relatively new figure, and feature a fresh lineup, including five debutants: Priya Mishra, Kashvee Gautam, Sayali Satghare, Deandra Dottin, and Simran Shaikh. “We were also inclined to bowl, but that's fine. We have developed a strong relationship with the Gujarat players. Our team combines youth and experience. We're eager to begin. Five debutants,” Gardner stated.
The initial phase of WPL 2025 kicked off in Vadodara, and Kodambi Stadium is set to host a total of six matches before the action moves to Bengaluru. Following that, the tournament will head to Ekana Stadium in Lucknow, marking its debut as a WPL venue with four matches scheduled.
The concluding segment of WPL 2025 will take place at the renowned Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. Brabourne will also host the eliminator match between the second and third-placed teams on March 13, followed by the championship match on March 15.
Playing XI’s:
Gujarat Giants: Laura Wolvaardt, Beth Mooney (wk), Dayalan Hemalatha, Ashleigh Gardner (c), Deandra Dottin, Harleen Deol, Simran Shaikh, Tanuja Kanwar, Sayali Satghare, Priya Mishra, Kashvee Gautam
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Smriti Mandhana(c), Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Ellyse Perry, Raghvi Bist, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kanika Ahuja, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Prema Rawat, Joshitha V.J, Renuka Thakur Singh.
