The stage is set for a blockbuster showdown as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) take on Mumbai Indians (MI) in the seventh match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on February 21 at 7:30 PM IST. This will be the first match of the season hosted in Bengaluru, adding to the excitement.
RCB have started their campaign with a bang, registering back-to-back wins over Gujarat Giants and Delhi Capitals. On the other hand, MI suffered a heartbreaking last-ball defeat to Delhi Capitals but bounced back emphatically with a dominant win over Gujarat Giants. With both teams boasting power-packed lineups, let’s take a look at the top fantasy picks for this high-octane clash.
Wicketkeeper:
Richa Ghosh
Ghosh has been nothing short of sensational for RCB, making valuable contributions both with the bat and behind the stumps. The 21-year-old Indian wicketkeeper played a blistering knock in the season opener, smashing 64 off just 27 balls to guide RCB over the line in a record chase. She followed it up with a quick-fire 11* (5) against Delhi Capitals. Her international stats further underline her class, having accumulated 985 runs in 62 T20Is at a strike rate of 142.13. A vital cog in RCB’s championship-winning campaign last season, she amassed 257 runs at a strike rate of 141.98.
Batters:
Smriti Mandhana
Mandhana, India’s vice-captain, had a subdued start with 9 off 7 balls, but she made a roaring comeback in the second match, hammering 81 off 47 balls against Delhi Capitals. In 2024, she was in scintillating form, amassing 763 runs, including three consecutive T20I fifties (54, 62, 77) against West Indies. With 3,761 runs in 148 T20Is, she remains a pivotal force in RCB’s batting lineup. Last season, she notched up 300 runs in 10 matches, with the best of 80.
Ellyse Perry
Perry showcased her class in RCB’s season opener, scoring a crucial 57 off 36 balls. Though a hip injury has restricted her bowling, she continues to be a key player. She was the Orange Cap holder in WPL 2024, amassing 347 runs at an astonishing average of 69.40. However, her recent form has been inconsistent, with scores of 2, 7, and 12 in the Ashes T20Is. With 2,109 T20I runs and 126 wickets, Perry’s all-round abilities make her an indispensable asset.
Harmanpreet Kaur
Kaur, MI’s captain, remains one of the most dangerous players in the WPL. She played a blazing knock of 42 off 22 balls against Delhi Capitals but managed just 4(2) against Gujarat Giants. The Indian skipper, despite missing the recent T20I series against West Indies due to injury, holds the record as India’s most-capped T20I player, featuring in 178 matches and scoring 3,589 runs, including India’s only T20I century (103*). Her part-time off-spin further enhances her fantasy value.
All-Rounders:
Nat Sciver-Brunt
Sciver-Brunt, one of the most complete all-rounders in world cricket, has been in sublime touch. Against Delhi Capitals, she played a stunning knock of 80(59) and also picked up 1/38 in four overs. She carried her form forward with another impressive outing, scoring 57(39) and registering figures of 2/26 (4) against Gujarat Giants. In WPL, she has amassed 641 runs and taken 23 wickets in 21 matches. Her international record is equally impressive, with 2,789 runs and 90 wickets in 132 T20Is.
Amelia Kerr
Kerr has been a consistent performer with both bat and ball. She was highly effective against Delhi Capitals, returning figures of 2/23 in four overs, followed by another economical spell of 2/22 against the Giants, where she also contributed 19 runs. Across 21 WPL matches, she has accumulated 392 runs, with the highest score of 45*, while also bagging 26 wickets, including best figures of 4/17. Her exceptional Super Smash campaign, where she topped the charts with 441 runs in 12 matches, further bolsters her credentials.
Hayley Matthews
Matthews, the West Indies captain, has been in red-hot form. Though she didn’t make a major impact with the bat early on, she delivered with the ball, securing figures of 2/32 against Delhi Capitals. She stepped up in the next match, producing a match-winning performance with 3/16 in four overs. With 2,651 T20I runs and 108 wickets, Matthews remains a crucial pick for fantasy teams. Her WPL record stands at 451 runs and 23 wickets in 19 matches.
Georgia Wareham
Wareham had a difficult start, conceding 50 runs in 3 overs (1/50) in the opening match, but she bounced back strongly with 3/25 (4) against Delhi Capitals. Last season, she was among RCB’s standout performers, scoring 111 runs at a strike rate of 163.23, while also picking up 7 wickets. Her impressive Ashes T20I campaign, where she was the leading wicket-taker with 6 wickets at an average of 9.50, further cements her position as a game-changer.
Bowlers:
Renuka Singh Thakur
Thakur, RCB’s pace spearhead, was the pick of the bowlers in the last match, registering figures of 2/25 in 4 overs. She followed it up with another stellar performance, scalping 3/23 (4) against Delhi Capitals. Despite a relatively quiet WPL 2024, she roared back to form in India’s ODI series against West Indies, emerging as the highest wicket-taker with 10 wickets in 3 matches at an economy of 3.34. With 58 wickets in 54 T20Is (best of 5/15), she remains a vital part of RCB’s bowling attack.
Shabnim Ismail
Ismail, the veteran South African pacer, continues to be a formidable force. She bowled with remarkable control against Delhi Capitals, picking up 1/18 in four overs, including the prized wicket of Meg Lanning. She maintained her form with 1/17 (4) against Gujarat Giants. In T20Is, she has claimed 123 wickets in 113 matches at an average of 18.62, with the best of 5/12. Her WPL record includes 13 wickets in 12 matches, with best figures of 3/18.
Kim Garth
Garth had a rough start, going wicketless against Gujarat Giants with figures of 0/34, but she made a strong comeback with 2/19 (3.3) against Delhi Capitals, including the wicket of Meg Lanning. In WPL, she has played 9 matches, taking 13 wickets, with the best of 5/36. At the international level, she has featured in 59 T20Is, scoring 764 runs (best of 51) and picking up 49 wickets (best of 3/6).
With star-studded lineups on both sides, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Mumbai Indians clash promises to be an electrifying contest. The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is expected to witness a high-scoring thriller, and these players will be key in shaping the outcome.
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