Delhi Capitals Women are set to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women in the fourth fixture of the Women’s Premier League. The match will take place at Kotambi Stadium.
The group stage consists of 32 matches, with the table-toppers earning a direct spot in the final. Meanwhile, the second and third-placed teams will battle it out in the eliminator, with the winner advancing to challenge the top-ranked side in the title decider.
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Delhi Capitals Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women: Preview
It’s a rematch of last season’s final, and Delhi Capitals had every reason to believe they could claim the title after dominating the WPL 2024 league stage. Playing at home and boasting an unbeaten 4-0 record against RCB, they seemed poised for victory. However, for the second consecutive year, they stumbled at the final hurdle.
Both teams began their 2025 campaign with wins—RCB outclassed Gujarat Giants in the season opener, while DC secured a last-ball thriller against Mumbai Indians. Yet, neither victory was convincing. RCB needed 79 from the last six overs before Richa Ghosh and Kanika Ahuja orchestrated a remarkable chase. Meanwhile, DC benefited from three close run-out decisions that ultimately swung the game in their favor.
Despite their shaky starts, both finalists have momentum on their side. RCB pulled off a record-breaking chase, while DC achieved the highest successful run chase ever against Mumbai Indians. Such hard-fought wins will only boost their confidence, and now it’s about building on that early success. DC lead the head-to-head battle against RCB with four wins to one.
Beyond the on-field battles, both squads have had their share of setbacks. RCB have had to tweak their lineup due to injuries and other absences even before the season began. Key players like Sophie Molineux, Sophie Devine, and Shreyanka Patil are irreplaceable, making resource management crucial. Meanwhile, DC dealt with illness in the camp, forcing some key names to sit out their first match.
Despite missing Marizanne Kapp and Jess Jonassen, DC still delivered a strong bowling display. Their availability for this clash remains uncertain, but given the short turnaround, they may get additional recovery time. The team’s depth shone through in their successful chase against Mumbai, with contributions coming from throughout the batting order.
RCB’s bowling remains a weak link, putting extra pressure on their batting lineup to compensate. On paper, DC seem to have the upper hand, but RCB have shown they can produce moments of brilliance—something Gujarat Giants learned the hard way.
Meg Lanning (691), Ellyse Perry (657), and Shafali Verma (601) are the top three run-scorers in WPL history, and all will feature in Monday’s clash.
Shafali Verma holds the record for the most sixes in the WPL with 35, averaging a maximum every ten deliveries.
Delhi Capitals Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women: Head-to-head
- Matches Played: 04
- Won by Delhi Capitals Women: 01
- Won by Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women: 03
- Tied: 00
- No Result: 00
- First-ever Fixture: March 05, 2023
- Most-recent Fixture: March 11, 2024
Delhi Capitals Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women: Pitch Report
Runs continue to flow, at least in the early stages of the tournament. While the black-soil pitches have offered some assistance to seamers and slower bowlers, the heavy dew has significantly favored batting. The short boundaries further tilt the balance in favor of the batters. With the dew playing a crucial role, captains are likely to prefer chasing to capitalize on the easier batting conditions later in the game.
Delhi Capitals Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women: Team News and Predicted XI
Delhi Capitals Women – Team News
With illness affecting their squad, DC had to field one less overseas player in their XI. If Marizanne Kapp is fit to play, she could step in for Niki Prasad. However, accommodating Jess Jonassen might be a tougher decision.
If both Kapp and Jonassen are available, the team management will face a tricky selection call. Sarah Bryce’s wicketkeeping skills, combined with her valuable lower-order contributions—evident in her crucial knock against MI—make her difficult to drop. Alice Capsey is the most likely to make way for Kapp, but Jonassen may still have to wait for her opportunity.
Delhi Capitals Women – Predicted XI
- Meg Lanning (capt)
- Shafali Verma
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Alice Capsey
- Marizanne Kapp/Niki Prasad
- Annabel Sutherland
- Sarah Bryce (wk)
- Shikha Pandey
- Radha Yadav
- Arundhati Reddy
- Minnu Mani
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women – Team News
Unless there are any unexpected injuries, RCB are likely to stick with their existing lineup. While the bowlers took a beating, the nature of the high-scoring contest suggests they will back the same combination for this match.
With Shreyanka Patil sidelined for the season, RCB have brought in Sneh Rana as a direct replacement. She could be drafted into the playing XI immediately, potentially taking Prema Rawat’s spot.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women – Predicted XI
- Smriti Mandhana (capt)
- Danni Wyatt-Hodge
- Ellyse Perry
- Raghvi Bist
- Richa Ghosh (wk)
- Kanika Ahuja
- Georgia Wareham
- Sneh Rana
- Kim Garth
- VJ Joshitha
- Renuka Singh
Delhi Capitals Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women: Players To Watch Out For
Meg Lanning (Delhi Capitals Women)
Meg Lanning, now retired from international cricket, appeared out of touch in DC’s opener. Shabnim Ismail troubled her with sheer pace before eventually knocking her over for 15 off 19 deliveries.
Lanning and Shafali Verma’s partnerships were instrumental in DC’s success over the past two seasons, and the team will be eager for their skipper to regain her form quickly.
Smriti Mandhana (Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women)
Smriti Mandhana has shown vulnerability against offspin, particularly at the start of her innings. In the last game, she survived just two deliveries against Ashleigh Gardner.
DC may look to exploit this weakness with their dual offspin options—Alice Capsey and Minnu Mani. How Mandhana navigates this challenge will be worth watching.
Delhi Capitals Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women: Match Prediction
Scenario 1
- Toss: Delhi Capitals Women win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 35-40
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women Total: 175-180
- Match Result: Delhi Capitals Women win the match
Scenario 2
- Toss: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 45-50
- Delhi Capitals Women Total: 178-185
- Match Result: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women win the match
When and Where To Watch Delhi Capitals Women vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The Women’s Premier League 2025 clash between Delhi Capitals Women and Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST on Monday, February 17, at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, Gujarat. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and will also be available for live streaming on JioHotstar for FREE.
Read More: ICC Champions Trophy 2025: Full Squads Announced
FAQs
What is the head-to-head record between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in WPL?
Delhi Capitals lead the head-to-head with four wins to RCB’s one.
Who are the top run-scorers in WPL history?
Meg Lanning (691), Ellyse Perry (657), and Shafali Verma (601) are the top three run-getters in the tournament.
Which player has hit the most sixes in WPL?
Shafali Verma holds the record for the most sixes in WPL history, smashing 35 at an average of one every ten balls.
What impact does the dew factor have in WPL matches?
Heavy dew makes batting easier, especially in the second innings, leading captains to prefer chasing.
How has Smriti Mandhana performed against offspin in WPL?
Smriti Mandhana has struggled against offspin early in her innings, as seen in her recent dismissal to Ashleigh Gardner within two balls.
