RCB Women Target Third Consecutive Victory Against Gujarat Giants
The Women's Premier League 2026 continues with an exciting match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru women and Gujarat Giants women. RCB women have started their campaign perfectly with two wins from two matches. They currently sit at the top of the points table. Gujarat Giants women hold the third position with two wins and one loss from their three games.
Match Details and Broadcast Information
The RCB women versus Gujarat Giants women match takes place on Thursday, January 16. The game begins at 7:30 PM Indian Standard Time. The venue is the DY Patil Sports Complex in Navi Mumbai.
Star Sports serves as the official broadcaster for WPL 2026. Fans can watch the match live on select Star Sports television channels. For online viewing, the JioStar app and website will provide live streaming of the entire contest.
Team Form and Key Players
Royal Challengers Bengaluru women have shown impressive form in their opening matches. They secured a comeback victory against Mumbai Indians. Then they delivered a dominant performance against UP Warriorz. Smriti Mandhana and Grace Harris have provided strong starts at the top of the batting order.
South African bowler Nadine de Klerk has emerged as a crucial player for RCB women. She has taken six wickets so far, proving particularly effective during the death overs. The team's main concern remains their middle-order batting, which has not yet fully contributed.
Gujarat Giants women began their tournament with two consecutive wins before suffering a defeat to Mumbai Indians. New Zealand's Sophie Devine, a former RCB batter, has been in good touch with the bat. She receives support from Australian players Ash Gardner and Georgia Wareham.
Among the bowlers, Renuka Singh has been the most economical for Gujarat Giants. The former RCB player has received assistance from Bharti Fulmali and Kanika Ahuja in the bowling department.
Head-to-Head Record and Probable Playing XIs
The two teams have faced each other six times in WPL history. Both sides have won three matches each, making their rivalry quite balanced.
Here are the probable playing XIs for both teams:
Gujarat Giants Women:
- Beth Mooney (wicketkeeper)
- Sophie Devine
- Anushka Sharma or Ayushi Soni
- Ashleigh Gardner (captain)
- Kanika Ahuja
- Georgia Wareham
- Bharti Fulmali
- Kashvee Gautam
- Tanuja Kanwer
- Rajeshwari Gayakwad
- Renuka Thakur
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women:
- Grace Harris
- Smriti Mandhana (captain)
- Dayalan Hemalatha
- Gautami Naik
- Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper)
- Radha Yadav
- Nadine de Klerk
- Arundhati Reddy
- Shreyanka Patil
- Linsey Smith
- Lauren Bell
This match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two competitive sides. RCB women will try to maintain their winning momentum. Gujarat Giants women will aim to bounce back from their recent loss and climb higher in the standings.
