RCB look to keep the juggernaut rolling as WPL moves base

Should RCB beat GG on Monday, they would've not only registered five wins on the trot and not only pulled the double over GG but would've also emerged triumphantly unfazed through a scheduling quagmire that would've seen them play three games in four days with a travel day squeezed in between.

While that is but one possible eventuality, there's tremendous promise in its realisation considering RCB marched to four commanding wins. That isn't to say that they haven't been challenged. Adversity came early, in their opening fixture against the Mumbai Indians, but their depth and Nadine de Klerk's resolve led them to a statement win. The second game saw Grace Harris brutally dismantle her former team while the third saw the bet they hedged in Radha Yadav's batting pay off.

Their most recent win, over the Delhi Capitals, was the completion of the picture with Smriti Mandhana answering the call to arms with a defining 96. Meanwhile, their bowling attack, led by Lauren Bell, has dutifully carried out demolishing orders against opposition batting orders.

The season began well for the Gujarat Giants as they pipped the UP Warriorz in a high-scoring fixture. Then, Sophie Devine's all-round magic steered them to a remarkable win over the Capitals. But their campaign went off track after a loss to the Mumbai Indians and further still when Shreyanka Patil's 5/23 sunk them to consecutive losses.

While their batters have delivered them three high scores, their bowling unit is yet to put together a cohesive and effective performance. All this to say that the Giants, now reeling off two losses, won't find it easy to stave off a side in a frenzy.

When: Monday, 19th January at 7:30 PM IST

Where: BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara

What to expect: This is the first game of the season in Vadodara. The venue has hosted six Women's T20s till date - all in WPL 2025, and all were won by the chasing side. The average first innings score here is 156.

Team news:

Gujarat Giants

While the Giants have tinkered with their uncapped talents, the outlook of their side is not expected to change.

Probable XI: Beth Mooney(wk), Sophie Devine, Shivani Singh, Ashleigh Gardner (c), Georgia Wareham, Kanika Ahuja, Bharti Fulmali, Kashvee Gautam, Tanuja Kanwer, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh Thakur

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

While every combination has been a winning one so far for RCB, their latest XI appeared to offer better balance and they are unlikely to make changes.

Probable XI:Grace Harris, Smriti Mandhana (c), Georgia Voll, Richa Ghosh (wk), Gautami Naik, Nadine de Klerk, Radha Yadav, Prema Rawat, Shreyanka Patil, Sayali Satghare, Lauren Bell