GJ-W vs BLR-W Dream11 Prediction, WPL 2025: Gujarat Giants vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Fantasy XI, Captain & Vice-Captain Choices, Match 1

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GJ-W vs BLR-W Dream11 Prediction, WPL 2025: The Women's Premier League 2025 kicks off with an exciting clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore (BLR-W) and Gujarat Giants (GJ-W) at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on February 14.

Royal Challengers, the defending champions, will be eager to begin their campaign with a win, while Gujarat Giants, who finished at the bottom last season, will look for a fresh start under new leadership.

Bangalore enters the tournament with some concerns as injuries have affected their squad balance. Ellyse Perry's availability is uncertain, which could impact their middle order. However, the franchise will bank on Smriti Mandhana, Richa Ghosh, and Shreyanka Patil, who were instrumental in last year’s title-winning run.

The Giants, on the other hand, has revamped its squad with Ashleigh Gardner taking over the captaincy from Beth Mooney. The franchise has made several key signings, but their biggest challenge remains finding the right combination. Laura Wolvaardt, Deandra Dottin, and Phoebe Litchfield add strength to their batting, while Gardner will lead the all-rounder department.

Both teams have won two games each in their four WPL head-to-head meetings, making this contest a tough one to predict. With a spin-friendly track at Kotambi, team selections and tactics will play a crucial role in determining the winner.

GJ-W vs BLR-W: Match Details

Fixture: Gujarat Giants Women vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Women, Match 1, WPL 2025
Date: February 14, Friday
Time: 7:30 PM IST
Venue: Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara
Streaming: JioCinema, Sports18 Network

GJ-W vs BLR-W: Pitch & Weather Report

The Kotambi Stadium pitch is known to offer good bounce and carry for batters early on, but as the match progresses, spinners will come into play. Recent matches at this venue have seen spinners dominating in the middle overs, with 29 wickets taken by them in the last ODI series held here. Pacers also have a role to play, especially under the lights. A score around 150-160 could be competitive, with chasing being the preferred option.

As for the weather, clear skies are expected with no chance of rain. The temperature will hover around 30°C during the day, cooling down slightly in the evening.

GJ-W vs BLR-W: Team Previews

Royal Challengers Bangalore Preview:

RCB comes into the tournament as defending champions but will have to cope with injury setbacks. Mandhana’s form will be key at the top, and Richa Ghosh’s finishing abilities add firepower in the lower order. If Perry plays, she will be a major asset, both with the bat and ball. Their bowling unit, led by Renuka Singh and Shreyanka Patil, will look to exploit the conditions, while Georgia Wareham’s leg spin could be crucial.

Gujarat Giants Preview:

Gujarat Giants struggled last season but have a chance to start afresh under Gardner’s leadership. Beth Mooney’s experience at the top will be vital, while Wolvaardt and Dottin bring firepower to the middle order. Their bowling attack, which includes Tanuja Kanwer, Kashvee Gautam, and Sneh Rana, will be heavily dependent on Gardner’s all-round contributions.

GJ-W vs BLR-W: Key Players

Royal Challengers Bangalore:

Smriti Mandhana: The RCB skipper had a strong season last year, scoring 300 runs at a strike rate of 133.92. She has also been in excellent form in international cricket.

Ellyse Perry: If fit, she is a match-winner with both bat and ball. She was RCB’s highest run-scorer in WPL 2024, averaging 69.40.

Shreyanka Patil: The young spinner was a standout performer last season and will look to exploit Kotambi’s conditions.

Richa Ghosh: A power-hitter who plays the finisher’s role perfectly. She had a strike rate of 141.98 in WPL 2024.

Gujarat Giants:

Beth Mooney: One of the best T20 batters, she had a stellar Ashes series, scoring 213 runs at an average of 106.50.

Ashleigh Gardner: The new captain will play a key role with both bat and ball. She has a T20I strike rate of 127.69 and is a proven match-winner.

Laura Wolvaardt: An elegant stroke-maker who has the ability to anchor the innings or accelerate when needed.

Tanuja Kanwer: A left-arm spinner who has troubled top batters in domestic cricket. She could be a key weapon on this track.

GJ-W vs BLR-W: Team News

RCB will have to assess Ellyse Perry’s fitness, while Asha Sobhana is also a doubtful starter. If Perry doesn’t play, Heather Graham could slot into the XI.

For Gujarat, the challenge will be fitting Mooney, Wolvaardt, and Litchfield into the same XI. They might opt for Dottin as a power-hitting all-rounder instead of an extra overseas batter.

GJ-W vs BLR-W Dream11 Team Prediction

Wicketkeepers: Beth Mooney, Richa Ghosh
Batters: Smriti Mandhana, Sabbhineni Meghana, Harleen Deol, Phoebe Litchfield
All-rounders: Ellyse Perry, Georgia Wareham, Ashleigh Gardner
Bowlers: Charlie Dean, Shreyanka Patil
Captain Choices: Charlie Dean, Ashleigh Gardner
Vice-captain Choices: Ellyse Perry, Smriti Mandhana

GJ-W vs BLR-W: Predicted Playing XI

BLR-W Probable Playing 11: Smriti Mandhana (C), Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Raghvi Bist, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh (WK), Kanika Ahuja, Georgia Wareham, Shreyanka Patil, Kim Garth, Renuka Singh, Ekta Bisht

GJ-W Probably Playing 11: Beth Mooney (WK), Harleen Deol, Dayalan Hemalatha, Deandra Dottin, Ashleigh Gardner (C), Phoebe Litchfield, Simran Shaikh, Shabnam Shakil, Tanuja Kanwer, Priya Mishra, Kashvee Gautam

GJ-W vs BLR-W: Full Squads

Gujarat Giants: Ashleigh Gardner (C), Harleen Deol, Prakashika Naik, Beth Mooney, Kashvee Gautam, Priya Mishra, Bharti Fulmali, Laura Wolvaardt, Sayali Satghare, Danielle Gibson, Mannat Kashyap, Shabnam Shakil, Dayalan Hemalatha, Meghna Singh, Simran Shaikh, Deandra Dottin, Phoebe Litchfield, Tanuja Kanwer

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Nuzhat Parween, Joshitha VJ, Richa Ghosh, Danni Wyatt, Kanika Ahuja, Sabbhineni Meghana, Ekta Bisht, Kim Garth, Shreyanka Patil, Ellyse Perry, Prema Rawat, Smriti Mandhana (C), Georgia Wareham, Raghvi Bist, Heather Graham, Jagravi Pawar, Renuka Singh, Charlie Dean