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We are just a few minutes away from the start of the game! However, given it is the season opener, both sets of players and the match officials will lineup for the Indian national anthem.
Bengaluru stalwart, Ellyse Perry is down for a chat. Perry says that it is a nice feeling to be back together and it is exciting to see this competition go from strength to strength every year. Adds that after the Ashes, she spent a bit of time at home before coming here but is excited and happy that there is so much more cricket on the women's calendar. On her hip injury, she says that she is fine and will bat but won't be able to bowl in the first few games. Reckons that in franchise cricket, there are so many changes every year and it just feels like a clean slate while starting a new season. Ends by saying that their home ground in Bengaluru is just fantastic and it will be great to be back there later on in the tournament but the first couple of games here will be crucial as well.
Bengaluru (Playing XI) - Smriti Mandhana (C), Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Ellyse Perry, Raghvi Bist (On debut), Richa Ghosh (WK), Kanika Ahuja, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Prema Rawat (On debut), Joshitha V J (On debut), Renuka Singh Thakur.
Gujarat (Playing XI) - Laura Wolvaardt, Beth Mooney (WK), Dayalan Hemalatha, Ash Gardner (C), Deandra Dottin (On debut), Harleen Deol, Simran Shaikh (On debut), Kashvee Gautam (On debut), Tanuja Kanwer, Sayali Satghare (On debut), Priya Mishra (On debut).
Ash Gardner, the captain of Gujarat says that they would have bowled first as well. Mentions that the preparations have been pretty nice, getting into the sessions quite a few days in advance. Adds that there are always things to work on and they have a great mixture of experience and raw talent and they are excited to get underway. Goes on to inform that they have five debutants in the form of Deandra Dottin, Simran Shaikh, Sayali Satghare, Kashvee Gautam and Priya Mishra and reckons that is quite exciting to see.
Smriti Mandhana, the skipper of Bengaluru, says that it is good to be back here as she was here just one month back and Vadodara has always been a great city for her and she likes to play here. Says that she thought that it would be Gujarat’s home ground but more people have come out to support them. She chooses to field first and says that it is a fresh wicket and it is the first match so the dew factor is there and she wants to utilize that in the second inning. Mentions that the last three practice sessions have been great for the whole group and looks like the squad is looking good. There are some forced changes but the team has shaped up nicely overall. Tells that there is a lot of changes but the four overseas are Ellyse Perry, Georgia Wareham, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, and Kim Garth. Also informs that they have three Indian debutants in the form of Joshitha V J, Prema Rawat and Raghvi Bist.
RCB vs GG Live Score: TOSS
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women have won the toss and have opted to field vs Gujarat Giants
TOSS - Ash Gardner flicks the coin in the air and Smriti Mandhana calls it correctly. Bengaluru will BOWL first.
RCB vs GG Live Score: PITCH REPORT
Dimensions - One side it is 60 metres and other side it is 51 metres and straight down the ground it is 61 metres. It is a black soil pitch and it is very well rolled. The surface is really hard, and the cracks are not too wide, Maybe for the first couple of overs, the seamers might get some help, but reckon it is going to be a good batting wicket. There might be dew in the second innings
BY Charles Dagnall and Mithali Raj
RCB vs GG Live Score: New captains for UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants
Both UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants enter the season with new captains at the helm.
Senior India all-rounder Deepti Sharma takes over UP Warriorz's leadership in the absence of Alyssa Healy, who has opted out of the WPL to manage her injury.
"I don’t think I am under pressure. She (Healy) has played many matches and led her teams efficiently. She was there in the last two seasons, and we will feel her absence slightly," Deepti said.
For Gujarat Giants, Ashleigh Gardner has taken over from Beth Mooney as captain. The Giants have struggled in the past two editions, finishing at the bottom both times.
Looking to turn their fortunes around, they have strengthened their squad with the additions of experienced all-rounder Deandra Dottin, young batter Simran Shaikh, and fast bowler Danielle Gibson.
With teams evolving and domestic talent stepping up, WPL 2024 promises to be another exciting chapter in the rise of women's cricket.
RCB vs GG Live Score: Mumbai Indians seek greater depth
Mumbai Indians, the inaugural WPL champions, saw their bid for back-to-back titles fall short last season due to an over-reliance on their top five—Hayley Matthews, Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Amelia Kerr.
This time, they will be hoping for stronger contributions from the rest of their lineup.
RCB vs GG Live Score:Delhi Capitals aim to end final heartbreak
Two-time runners-up Delhi Capitals have been the most consistent team in the tournament but have fallen short at the final hurdle. This season, they will be determined to break their title jinx.
DC boast a formidable batting lineup featuring Shafali Verma, Meg Lanning, Jemimah Rodrigues, Annabel Sutherland, and Marizanne Kapp. Their bowling attack, led by Shikha Pandey, Arundhati Reddy, Titas Sadhu, Jess Jonassen, and Radha Yadav, adds further strength.
"We have improved our squad with the players we brought in. We feel like we are in a good spot to challenge again," Lanning said.
"Firstly, we need to give ourselves the opportunity to reach the final, and then hopefully win this time."
RCB vs GG Live Score: RCB face a tough challenge
Defending champions RCB will have their work cut out in their bid to retain the title, with key players from last season—Sophie Devine, Sophie Molineux, and Kate Cross—missing this edition.
Devine has taken a break from cricket to prioritize her well-being, while Molineux and Cross are sidelined due to injuries.
Additionally, all-rounder Ellyse Perry, Shreyanka Patil, and Asha Sobhana are recovering from injuries, making RCB's campaign even more challenging.
"Most of our players who were in the XI last year are unavailable this season due to injuries. Sophie (Devine) is one of the best all-rounders in the world, so we will definitely miss her," RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana said.
"It will be tough, but mental well-being is more important than anything. We respect that," she added.
RCB vs GG Live Score: Out-of-favour Shafali Varma
Out-of-favor India opener Shafali Verma, who has been in fine form on the domestic circuit, will be eager to make a statement for Delhi Capitals as she eyes a national team comeback, with a tour of England in July and the ODI World Cup at home approaching.
Meanwhile, fast-bowling all-rounder Kashvee Gautam, who made headlines in domestic cricket, will have a chance to prove herself at the highest level.
The tournament introduces two new venues—Vadodara and Lucknow—marking a step toward a full-fledged home-and-away format similar to the IPL.
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RCB vs GG Live Score: Hello and welcome!
The Women's Premier League (WPL) continues to be a breeding ground for India's emerging cricket talent while showcasing world-class international stars.
As the third edition kicks off on Friday, defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will face Gujarat Giants in the opening clash. While overseas players have added immense value, the league’s real success lies in the rise of domestic talent.
In the first two seasons, players like Shreyanka Patil and Saika Ishaque thrived under pressure, earning national call-ups and making their India debuts.
With each passing season, the list of promising Indian players continues to grow. This edition, with overseas stars like Alyssa Healy, Sophie Molineux, and Kate Cross missing due to injuries, presents a golden opportunity for experienced domestic players and fresh faces to shine.
"As India captain, I’m very excited for this season because a lot of domestic cricketers have prepared themselves for this tournament," Harmanpreet Kaur said during the Star Sports Press Room - WPL Captain's Huddle.
"Even before the auctions, we discussed that many domestic cricketers have performed well, and everyone had names in mind to watch out for. We are really hoping they do well and make the Indian team stronger," she added.
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