Navi Mumbai, Jan 16 (NationPress) Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Shivani Singh has received the opportunity to make her debut in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 as the Gujarat Giants (GG) won the toss and chose to bowl first against the undefeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a match at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Friday.

RCB has triumphed in their opening two matches, while GG is eager to secure a win after experiencing their first loss of the season. Both teams are currently tied with four points, and a victory for either side will grant them the top position in the points table.

Following the toss, Gujarat Giants captain Ashleigh Gardner announced that Shivani has been included in the playing eleven, replacing Ayushi Soni. “I believe our process remains unchanged. Recent games have indicated that it’s a well-used wicket. With a tougher ball, the spinners can extract some assistance as well. Our bowling group must focus on taking early wickets and aiming to limit them to a chaseable total.

“Defending on this ground is challenging, so our goal is to restrict them as much as we can and let our batting perform at the end. Our batting has been excellent, but there are always areas for improvement with the ball,” stated Gardner.

“It may sound cliché, but it’s about adhering to our strengths. While we consider our opponents, it’s crucial to keep things straightforward. At this venue, you require two or three bowling options since it’s a great batting surface. We must be very clear in our approach, whether we aim to restrict runs or take wickets,” she added.

RCB captain Smriti Mandhana confirmed her team's unchanged lineup. "The toss is not something you can control. It’s beneficial to face various situations early in the tournament. If you bowl first initially and later need to bat first, it’s advantageous. I’m pleased with it. The pitch has been fairly balanced for batting first or fielding. If we play well, the toss won't be a significant factor.

She emphasized the importance of maintaining their strong work ethic. “It’s about continuing to do the basics correctly. The work ethic in our team has been exemplary. Everyone is putting in considerable effort. I notice many players hitting the gym, and it has been challenging for our coach to get everyone out of the nets, even after practice, which is a positive indicator.

“Our focus is to maintain this momentum throughout the season. It truly depends on the situation. We don’t want to label our style of play too rigidly. It varies based on how the game unfolds and our timing with the bat,” she added.

When asked about her opening partner, Grace Harris, Smriti remarked, “With Grace, you don’t need to instruct her on how to bat; she has her unique style. For all of us, the key is executing our plan. If we need to adopt an anchor role, we should be able to do that as well. We aspire to play positively and aggressively, but that isn’t the sole approach we will take moving forward.”

Playing XIs:

Gujarat Giants: Beth Mooney (wk), Sophie Devine, Shivani Singh, Ashleigh Gardner (captain), Georgia Wareham, Kanika Ahuja, Bharti Fulmali, Kashvee Gautam, Tanuja Kanwer, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, and Renuka Singh Thakur

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Grace Harris, Smriti Mandhana (captain), Dayalan Hemalatha, Gautami Naik, Richa Ghosh (wk), Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Linsey Smith, and Lauren Bell