Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are off to a flying start in their title defense, securing two wins in as many games. While the tournament is still in its early stages, the reigning champions already look formidable across all departments. Star batters Ellyse Perry and Smriti Mandhana, who both crossed 300 runs last season, have delivered impactful performances, while Richa Ghosh’s explosive 27-ball 64 against Gujarat Giants has added firepower to the middle order.

RCB’s bowling unit has also played a crucial role in their dominant start. Renuka Singh’s fiery spell of 3/23 in four overs helped dismantle Delhi Capitals, taking her season tally to five wickets. Meanwhile, Kim Garth, Ekta Bisht, and Georgia Wareham have also been among the wickets, ensuring balance in the squad—without even requiring Perry’s services as a bowler yet.

Mumbai Indians (MI), on the other hand, will be somewhat relieved that Perry won’t be bowling—considering her six-wicket haul against them last season. However, they will still have to counter her batting prowess, which played a pivotal role in knocking them out in last season’s Eliminator.

MI have had a mixed start to their campaign, with one win and one loss. Their overseas stars—Shabnim Ismail, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Hayley Matthews, and Amelia Kerr—have led the charge, taking eight of the 10 wickets in their victory. Sciver-Brunt has been in sublime form, scoring 80* and 57 in her two outings, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has also shown glimpses of her explosive batting. She will be eager to step up and provide more consistency, as she emphasized after MI’s win against Gujarat Giants.

RCB vs MI : Match Details

📅 Date: February 21, 2025
⏰ Time: 07:30 PM IST
🏟️ Venue: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

Pitch & Conditions

This marks the first game of the season at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. In the previous edition of WPL, seven out of 11 matches at this venue were won by teams chasing. RCB had a 3-2 record at home last season, while MI won three of their four matches at this ground.

Team News

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

RCB are likely to stick with their winning combination from the match against Delhi Capitals.

Probable XI: Smriti Mandhana (c), Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Ellyse Perry, Raghvi Bist, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kanika Ahuja, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Ekta Bisht, Joshitha VJ, Renuka Singh Thakur

Mumbai Indians

MI are also expected to retain their victorious lineup, with Parunika Sisodia keeping her place over Saika Ishaque.

Probable XI: Yastika Bhatia (wk), Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), G Kamalini, Amelia Kerr, Sajeevan Sajana, Amanjot Kaur, Sanskriti Gupta, Shabnim Ismail, Parunika Sisodia

RCB vs MI : Squads

Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Smriti Mandhana (c), Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh (wk), Raghvi Bist, Kanika Ahuja, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Ekta Bisht, Joshitha VJ, Renuka Singh Thakur, Sneh Rana, Sabbhineni Meghana, Nuzhat Parween, Heather Graham, Charlotte Dean, Jagravi Pawar, Prema Rawat

Mumbai Indians: Hayley Matthews, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Amelia Kerr, Sajeevan Sajana, G Kamalini, Amanjot Kaur, Sanskriti Gupta, Shabnim Ismail, Parunika Sisodia, Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Keerthana Balakrishnan, Saika Ishaque, Jintimani Kalita, Amandeep Kaur, Akshita Maheshwari

This promises to be an electrifying contest between two powerhouses of the Women’s Premier League! Who will come out on top—RCB or MI? Stay tuned! 🔥🏏

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