Match 9: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs Gujarat Giants Women | Squads, Players to Watch, Live Streaming Details

The 9th match of Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 unfolds at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on January 16 at 7:30 PM IST, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) against Gujarat Giants. This electrifying showdown, with RCB riding a flawless start clinching thrilling 3-wicket win over Mumbai Indians and a dominant 9-wicket rout of UP Warriorz while Gujarat Giants mixed promises, storming to 10-run and 4-run victories over UP Warriorz and Delhi Capitals before crumbling by seven wickets to Mumbai Indians on a tricky track.

Squads:

Gujarat Giants Women’s Cricket Team

Ashleigh Gardner (C), Kanika Ahuja, Yastika Bhatia, Sophie Devine, Bharti Fulmali, Kim Garth, Kashvee Gautam, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Happy Kumari, Tanuja Kanwer, Beth Mooney, Renuka Singh, Titas Sadhu, Anushka Sharma, Ayushi Soni, Shivani Singh, Georgia Wareham, Danni Wyatt-Hodge

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women’s Cricket Team

Smriti Mandhana (C), Lauren Bell, Nadine de Klerk, Richa Ghosh, Grace Harris, Dayalan Hemalatha, Gautami Naik, Shreyanka Patil, Kumari Prathyusha, Prema Rawat, Arundhati Reddy, Sayali Satghare, Linsey Smith, Pooja Vastrakar, Georgia Voll, Radha Yadav

Players to watch out:

Smriti Mandhana

Smriti Mandhana, RCB’s elegant captain, looms large as the X-factor with her timing and leadership poise. Across 157 WT20Is, she piled up 4,102 runs at a strike rate of 124, a testament to her class. In WPL’s 28 matches, she boasts 711 runs at 129 strike rate. Fresh off an unbeaten 47 in the last clash against UP Warriorz, she’s primed to anchor RCB’s chase.

Grace Harris

Grace Harris, the explosive all-rounder, brings dynamite to RCB’s middle order with her power-hitting and handy bowling. In 54 WT20Is, she has smashed 577 runs at a blistering 155 strike rate while grabbing nine wickets. Her WPL tally shines across 24 matches with 691 runs at 148 strike rate. She lit up the recent UP Warriorz game with a match winning knock of 85.

Also Read: Top 3: UP Warriorz Players to Watch Out Against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Match 5

Sophie Devine

Sophie Devine, Gujarat’s seasoned campaigner, blends big hitting with seam bite to tilt games her way. Over 146 WT20Is, she’s racked up 3,431 runs at 120 strike rate and 19 wickets. In 21 WPL outings, it’s 543 runs at 165 strike rate plus 14 wickets. Her recent fireworks, 95 and two wickets against Delhi Capitals signal danger.

Ashleigh Gardner

Ashleigh Gardner, the Giants’ captain and spin wizard, dominates with her leg spin guile and lower order aggression. In 96 WT20Is, she has 1,411 runs at 187 strike rate and a whopping 78 wickets. Across 28 matches in the WPL she has scored 701 runs at 146 strike rate and struck 26 wickets. She’s been in form, blasting 65 against UP Warriorz and 49 versus Delhi Capitals.

Pitch:

DY Patil Stadium delivers a batting paradise with true pace and bounce upfront, averaging scores around 175 in T20s and falling six wickets per game. Seamers snag early swing, spinners grip the middle overs, and evening dew favors chasers, toss winners often opt to bowl first for a hunt under lights.

Weather:

Clear skies promise a cracker in Navi Mumbai with just 5% precipitation risk and light winds at 16 km/h. Temperatures hover comfortably from a minimum of 19°C to a maximum of 30°C, with 50% humidity ensuring no interruptions.

Fantasy Playing XI:

Smriti Mandhana, Grace Harris, Sophie Devine, Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Richa Ghosh, Nadine de Klerk, Georgia Wareham, Shreyanka Patil, Renuka Singh Thakur, Lauren Bell