As the Women’s Premier League 2025 progresses towards its crucial phase, every result becomes vital in shaping the playoff race. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are not yet in a must-win situation, but another slip-up could push them closer to elimination. The defending champions began their campaign with back-to-back victories but have struggled since the WPL moved to Bengaluru, failing to register a win in three games at their home ground. With their last fixture at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB will be desperate to sign off on a positive note.

RCB’s Struggles and Overdependence on Perry

More than the losses, it’s the nature of the defeats that will concern Smriti Mandhana’s team. Despite Ellyse Perry’s brilliance with the bat, RCB suffered defeats against Mumbai Indians and UP Warriorz due to tactical errors. The Super Over heartbreak against UPW could prove costly in the long run. However, their most recent game against Gujarat Giants exposed a glaring weakness—an overreliance on Perry. With Mandhana’s form fluctuating, the lack of consistent contributions from the rest of the batting lineup remains a concern.

RCB’s best chance of revival hinges on their batting unit firing collectively, especially since their bowling attack isn’t as strong as last season due to key absentees. However, they face a formidable challenge against Delhi Capitals (DC), who boast the most well-rounded bowling lineup in the tournament.

DC’s Balanced Squad and Formidable Bowling Attack

Delhi Capitals, led by Meg Lanning, sit comfortably at the top of the table, ahead of Mumbai Indians on net run rate, though they have played an extra match. While DC have had a few hiccups, they remain a well-balanced side with depth in all departments. Lanning’s form was a concern, but she showed signs of returning to her best in DC’s victory over MI.

One challenge for DC will be fatigue, as they are playing consecutive matches. However, with a six-day break after this clash, they can afford to go full throttle. The first-innings powerplay has been a decisive phase this season, and DC have dominated with the new ball, thanks to Marizanne Kapp and Shikha Pandey. Jess Jonassen and Annabel Sutherland have also played crucial roles in restricting opposition batters. While their bowling attack hasn’t been as ruthless as in previous editions, it seems to be peaking at the right time.

RCB vs DC: Who Has the Edge?

Both teams have firepower in their batting lineups, but DC holds a slight edge in terms of depth. The key differentiator is the bowling, where DC clearly outshines RCB. If RCB are to compete, their star players must deliver match-winning performances.

Match Details

• When: March 1, 2025, 7:30 PM IST
• Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
• What to Expect: Despite its reputation as a high-scoring venue, the Bengaluru pitch has offered a balanced contest in WPL matches. While batters get value for their shots, both pacers and spinners remain in the game. Teams prefer chasing here, making the toss crucial.

Team News & Probable XIs

Royal Challengers Bangalore

RCB made a surprising change in the last game by bringing in leg-spinner Prema Rawat at the expense of the experienced Ekta Bisht. However, Bisht could return to the XI for this fixture.

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

Delhi Capitals

With back-to-back games, DC might have preferred to rest key players, but given the tournament situation, they are unlikely to tweak their winning combination.

Probable XI: Meg Lanning (c), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp, Jess Jonassen, Sarah Bryce (wk), Niki Prasad, Shikha Pandey, Minnu Mani, Titas Sadhu.