Get ready for a real clash in the Women’s Premier League 2026. The Gujarat Giants are up against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Match 9, right at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on January 16. Both sides have something to prove, and, honestly, this one looks like it’ll go down to the wire. As both teams have 3 Wins against each other.
Gujarat Giants come in looking sharp. The squad feels balanced, with lots of experience, especially with international stars stepping up. Sophie Devine leads the charge, and with hitters like Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney, they pack a punch. Their bowling’s no joke either, with Kashvee Gautam and Georgia Wareham handling the spin.
On the other side, Royal Challengers Bengaluru have some hurdles. Losing Ellyse Perry stings; she had to step away for personal reasons. Now, captain Smriti Mandhana has even more on her plate, especially with the bat. On the bright side, RCB strengthened their bowling lineup. Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith add some real depth, giving them more to work with, whether they need pace or spin.
Match Details: RCB vs GG
Here are the key details of RCB vs GG:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants, Match 9 |
| Series | Women’s Premier League 2026 |
| Date | January 16, 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| Streaming | JioHotstar |
| Broadcast | Star Sports |
Head-to-Head Record: GG vs RCB
| Statistic | GG | RCB |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 6 | 6 |
| Wins | 3 | 3 |
Performance in Last 1 Year
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GG | 11 | 6 | 5 | 54.55% |
| RCB | 10 | 5 | 5 | 50.00% |
Top Performers in the Last Year
Batters:
- Ellyse Perry (RCB): 372 runs
- Ashleigh Gardner (GG): 357 runs
Bowlers:
- Georgia Wareham (GG): 12 wickets
- Kashvee Gautam (GG): 12 wickets
Pitch Report
Here is the pitch report that tells us the quality of the pitch:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Pitch Character | Balanced/Sporting. Offers a consistent pace and bounce, allowing batters to play through the line once settled. |
| Early Advantage | Seamers. The new ball provides some swing and carry in the initial overs. |
| Mid-Game Shift | Spinners. As the match progresses and the surface slows, spinners find more grip and turn during the middle overs. |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 165-168 runs. |
| Boundary Dimensions | Short (48 m) to Moderate (66 m). The relatively short square boundaries often lead to high-scoring games. |
| Toss Strategy | Bowl first. Historically, chasing teams have a higher success rate here. |
GG-W vs RCB-W Match 9: Winning & Toss Odds
| Platform | 1xBet | Stake | 4RABET | BetVibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GG-W Win Odds | 2.10 | 2.12 | 2.13 | 2.15 |
| RCB-W Win Odds | 1.66 | 1.67 | 1.68 | 1.69 |
| Toss Odds (GG-W) | 1.90 | 1.85 | 1.87 | 1.88 |
| Toss Odds (RCB-W) | 1.90 | 1.85 | 1.87 | 1.88 |
Probable Playing XI
Here are the probable playing 11 of both teams:
Gujarat Giants (GG)
Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Bharti Fulmali, Ashleigh Gardner (C), Sophie Devine, Beth Mooney (WK), Georgia Wareham, Kashvee Gautam, Kim Garth, Renuka Singh Thakur, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Titas Sadhu
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Smriti Mandhana, Grace Harris, Dayalan Hemlatha, Richa Ghosh (WK), Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Arundhati Reddy, Shreyanka Patil, Prema Rawat, Linsey Smith, and Lauren Bell
Team Analysis
Here is some key information about both teams:
Gujarat Giants (GG)
The Gujarat Giants look strong heading into WPL 2026. Sophie Devine’s in charge, and honestly, she’s got a squad full of players who don’t just show up; they can take charge and win matches by themselves. Over the past year, they’ve won more than half their games (54.55%, if you want to get specific), which says a lot about how far they’ve come. This team looks hungry for a title.
Their batting is a real threat. Beth Mooney and Danni Wyatt-Hodge open the innings, and they don’t waste any time; straightaway, they go after the bowlers. If you’re an opposition captain, these two must keep you up at night. Right in the middle, Ashleigh Gardner holds things together. She’s scored 357 runs in the last year, which tells you she’s reliable, but she can also shift gears fast when the team needs a push.
Now, the real weapon for the Giants is their bowling. Georgia Wareham and Kashvee Gautam both grabbed 12 wickets last year, so they’re right at the top in this contest. Renuka Singh Thakur brings in some serious pace, and Rajeshwari Gayakwad, with all her experience, delivers steady left-arm spin. With so many options, Devine has plenty of ways to shake things up during a match.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have their work cut out this season. Losing Ellyse Perry hurts; she was their top run-scorer last year with 372 runs and did a ton with the ball, too.
Now, it’s all eyes on Smriti Mandhana. She’s coming off a decent run against Sri Lanka, knocking up 120 runs in four games. Her timing is gorgeous, and she knows how to hold an innings together. RCB really needs her to set the tone, but she can’t do it alone. Georgia Voll and Richa Ghosh have to chip in and make sure Smriti isn’t carrying the whole load.
On the bowling front, things look a bit brighter this year. Lauren Bell and Linsey Smith are in, bringing some real quality with both pace and spin. Pooja Vastrakar and Arundhati Reddy should give them some solid Indian seam options, while Shreyanka Patil and Radha Yadav take care of the spin. If this bowling group can keep things tight, RCB has a real shot at staying in the fight.
Key Players to Watch
Here are the best players to watch out for in this battle:
Best Batter: Ashleigh Gardner (GG)
The Australian all-rounder brings power and finesse to the Gujarat Giants lineup. She scored 357 runs in the last year, showing remarkable consistency across different situations. Gardner hits the ball hard and finds gaps with ease. Her ability to clear the boundary makes her dangerous in the death overs. Against RCB’s bowling attack, she will look to dominate and set up big totals for her team.
Best Bowler: Georgia Wareham (GG)
The Australian leg-spinner picked up 12 wickets in the last year, tying for the highest wicket-taker in this fixture. Wareham bowls with excellent control and varies her pace cleverly to deceive batters. Her googlies trouble even the best players in the world. She picks up wickets in the middle overs and breaks partnerships when teams try to build momentum. RCB’s batters will need to read her carefully from the crease.
Match Prediction
This match feels like a toss-up at first glance. Both teams have beaten each other three times, so there’s no real history advantage. But honestly, Gujarat Giants look a bit stronger right now. Their win rate is almost 55%, which edges out RCB’s, and they’ve got more options in their lineup.
Gujarat, on the other hand, has more players who can turn a game around. Beth Mooney and Danni Wyatt-Hodge can smash any attack when they’re on. Ashleigh Gardner offers some balance, and Sophie Devine sets the tone up top. Their Bowler Renuka Singh, gives them plenty of ways to break through.
Winner Prediction: Gujarat Giants (GG)
Gujarat Giants have the edge going into this match. They have a stronger batting lineup, a more balanced bowling attack, and better recent form. RCB will fight hard under Mandhana’s leadership, but the loss of Perry hurts them badly. Expect Gujarat Giants to win this encounter and continue their solid start to the season.
That said, cricket can always surprise us. If Smriti Mandhana plays a captain’s knock and the bowlers deliver a disciplined performance, RCB can pull off an upset. The DY Patil pitch offers something for everyone, so both teams will have chances to shine.
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Conclusion
Get ready for a real contest in Match 9 of the WPL 2026, Gujarat Giants versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The Giants show up with plenty of firepower, and those Aussie stars know how to take charge. They’re here to win, with or without her. Expect plenty of big shots and smart bowling, nobody’s holding back tonight. The Women’s Premier League just keeps raising the bar, and this matchup is another spark in the rivalry between these teams. Fans are in for a good one.
