The 12th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 is set to bring fireworks as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lock horns with Gujarat Giants (GG) at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, on February 26 at 7:30 PM IST.
RCB enters this contest after a heartbreaking Super Over loss against UP Warriorz, a setback that leaves them with two wins in four matches. On the other hand, Gujarat Giants have struggled to find momentum, managing just one victory from their four outings, their sole win coming against UP Warriorz. With both teams eager to claim a crucial two points, let’s dive into the top fantasy XI picks for this high-stakes encounter.
Wicketkeepers:
Richa Ghosh
Ghosh has been a vital asset for RCB, excelling both with the bat and behind the stumps. She has already played 22 WPL matches, accumulating 506 runs at a brisk strike rate of 146.24. This season, she has showcased her aggressive batting with scores of 64*, 11*, 28, and 8, striking at an incredible 176.19. Her ability to accelerate the scoring makes her a must-have pick.
Beth Mooney
Mooney started her WPL 2025 campaign with a fluent 56 off 42 balls against RCB, but her form has taken a hit since then, recording 0, 1, and 10 in her next three innings. Despite these struggles, Mooney remains a match-winner, as evident from her 3,215 T20I runs and last season’s tally of 285 runs in eight matches, including the highest score of 85*. A proven performer, she could be due for a big knock.
Batters:
Smriti Mandhana
Mandhana, the stylish left-hander and India’s vice-captain, made a strong statement with a sensational 81 off 47 balls against Delhi Capitals after a slow start of 9 off 7. She followed it up with a quick 26 off 13 balls against Mumbai Indians but faltered with just 6 runs against UPW. With a total of 571 runs in 22 WPL games and the highest score of 81, Mandhana remains a key pillar in RCB’s batting lineup.
Danielle Wyatt-Hodge
Wyatt-Hodge, the experienced English batter, has represented her country in 170 T20Is, amassing 3,190 runs, including a career-best of 124. Her WPL journey started on a shaky note with just 4 runs against Gujarat Giants, but she bounced back with 42 off 33 against Delhi Capitals and a match-winning 57 off 41 against the same opposition in her latest game. She is an exciting batter to watch out for.
All-rounders:
Ellyse Perry
Perry, last season’s Orange Cap winner, has been in exceptional form. With scores of 57, 7, an unbeaten 81, and an even better 90* against UPW, she has already racked up 235 runs at an astonishing average of 117.5 and a strike rate of 160.95. Now that she has started bowling, Perry becomes an even more dangerous asset. Her WPL numbers—835 runs and 12 wickets, including the best of 6/15—solidify her legacy in the tournament.
Ashleigh Gardner
Gardner burst onto the scene with a dominant 79 off 37 balls in Gujarat’s season opener, smashing eight sixes. She followed it up with 52 off 32 and 2/39 with the ball against UP Warriorz but has since struggled, managing 10 and 3 runs in her last two games while picking up just one wicket. However, with 1,411 international T20I runs and 78 wickets, Gardner remains a genuine match-winner.
Deandra Dottin
Dottin, returning to the WPL after going unsold last year, made an immediate impact with 25 off 13 balls and 1/41 against RCB. She followed it up with an unbeaten 33 off 18 and 2/34 against UPW, but her recent performances have been underwhelming, with 7 and 26 runs along with figures of 0/19 and 0/30. A proven all-rounder with 3,004 T20I runs and 71 wickets, she remains a key pick.
Georgia Wareham
Wareham had a tough start, conceding 50 runs in her opening spell (1/50), but she quickly turned things around with a three-wicket haul (3/25) against Delhi Capitals and another 3/21 against Mumbai Indians. While she went wicketless against UPW, Wareham’s record—154 runs at a strike rate of 132.75 and 15 wickets across two WPL seasons—makes her a strong fantasy pick.
Sneh Rana
Rana, a seasoned campaigner with 25 T20Is for India and 24 wickets (best of 3/9), had a quiet WPL 2024, going wicketless in four matches. However, now representing RCB, she made an immediate impact with three wickets in just her first match. Her experience and recent form could make a significant difference.
Bowlers:
Renuka Singh Thakur
Thakur, the leader of RCB’s pace attack, has been consistent with her performances. She made her presence felt with figures of 2/25 and 3/23 against Delhi Capitals, bowled economically against Mumbai Indians (0/35 in 4 overs), and returned with 2/36 against UPW. With her ability to strike early, Renuka remains an integral part of RCB’s bowling unit.
Kim Garth
Garth had a slow start, going wicketless in her first game against Gujarat Giants (0/34), but quickly found her rhythm. She claimed 2/19, 2/30, and 2/40 in her next three matches, proving to be a reliable option. With 17 WPL wickets and an international record of 764 runs and 49 wickets, Garth adds depth to GG’s bowling attack.
With both teams eager to grab a crucial win, this match at the M. Chinnaswamy is set to be a high-voltage clash.
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