Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women lock horns with Gujarat Giants Women in what promises to be a thrilling encounter at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy on January 16, 2026. With both teams entering this contest on the back of strong performances and their head-to-head record perfectly balanced at 3-3, this ninth match of WPL 2026 is set to be a closely contested battle. The afternoon fixture kicks off at 2:00 PM GMT (7:30 PM IST), and betting markets reflect the evenly matched nature of this rivalry.
Betting Odds Comparison (UK Markets)
Bookmakers have installed both teams as near-equal favourites, reflecting the competitive balance between these sides:
| Betting Platform | RCB-W Win | GG-W Win | RCB-W Toss | GG-W Toss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bet365 | 2.00 | 2.05 | 1.90 | 1.90 |
| William Hill | 2.00 | 2.08 | 1.88 | 1.92 |
| Ladbrokes | 2.00 | 2.10 | 1.85 | 1.95 |
| Betfair | 1.78 | 2.12 | 1.93 | 1.87 |
The tight odds suggest bookmakers cannot separate these evenly-matched opponents, making this fixture ideal for competitive betting markets.
Match Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women vs Gujarat Giants Women |
| Tournament | Women’s Premier League 2026 (Match 9) |
| Date | Thursday, January 16, 2026 |
| Start Time | 2:00 PM GMT / 7:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
Team Squads
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women:
Smriti Mandhana (captain), Richa Ghosh, Ellyse Perry, Lauren Bell, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, Nadine de Klerk, Shreyanka Patil, Georgia Voll, Linsey Smith, Prema Rawat, Gautami Naik, Prathyoosha Kumar, Dayalan Hemalatha, Sayali Satghare
Gujarat Giants Women:
Ashleigh Gardner (captain), Bharti Fulmali, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Kanika Ahuja, Sophie Devine, Kashvee Gautam, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Anushka Sharma, Ayushi Soni, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Beth Mooney (wk), Shivani Singh (wk), Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Tanuja Kanwar, Renuka Singh Thakur, Titas Sadhu, Happy Kumari
Venue Analysis: Dr DY Patil Sports Academy
The Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai is renowned as a batting paradise, offering consistent bounce and good pace that favours aggressive stroke-play. With teams now familiar with the surface after earlier WPL 2026 matches, the venue continues to produce high-scoring encounters, particularly during evening fixtures when dew becomes a significant factor.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Behaviour | Consistent true bounce with good pace, creating a batter-friendly surface. Bowlers struggle to gain momentum. |
| Batting Conditions | Openers can build strong foundations with ease. High-scoring games are common, especially after dew settles in the second innings. |
| Pace Bowling | Early swing available under lights can trouble top-order batters initially before conditions favour batting. |
| Spin Bowling | Excellent grip develops as the match progresses, offering turn and assistance to spinners. |
| Economy Challenge | Bowlers typically find it difficult to contain run-scoring throughout the innings. |
| Square Boundaries | 63-67 metres |
| Straight Boundaries | Approximately 86 metres |
| Competitive First Innings Score | Teams should target 175+ when batting first. Historical low: 156 (lowest successfully defended total). |
| Toss Impact | Captains winning the toss overwhelmingly choose to field first, banking on easier batting conditions in the second innings due to dew. |
Weather Forecast
Perfect playing conditions are expected with no weather interruptions anticipated.
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 32°C (90°F) |
| Conditions | Sunny throughout |
| Rain Probability | 0% |
| Humidity | 42% |
| Wind Speed | 13 km/h (8 mph) |
Head-to-Head Record
The perfectly balanced record underscores the competitive nature of this rivalry, with neither team holding a psychological advantage.
| Statistic | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 6 |
| RCB-W Wins | 3 |
| GG-W Wins | 3 |
| No Results | 0 |
Impact Players To Monitor
Both teams boast top-order batters in excellent form, with their top three consistently delivering match-winning contributions. England’s Lauren Bell and Danielle Wyatt-Hodge will be particularly worth watching for UK fans.
| Team | Player | WPL Stats |
|---|---|---|
| RCB-W | Smriti Mandhana | 711 runs in 28 matches (average: 26.33) |
| RCB-W | Lauren Bell (England) | 2 wickets in 2 games this season (economy: 3.75) |
| RCB-W | Grace Harris | 691 runs and 13 wickets in 24 WPL matches |
| GG-W | Georgia Wareham (Australia) | 307 runs and 22 wickets in 23 matches |
| GG-W | Bharti Fulmali | 250 runs in 12 WPL games (average: 50.00) |
| GG-W | Sophie Devine (New Zealand) | 543 runs and 14 wickets in 21 WPL matches |
| GG-W | Danielle Wyatt-Hodge (England) | Key opener with international pedigree |
Betting Tips For UK Punters
- Match Winner: With odds hovering around 2.00 (evens) for both teams, value seekers might consider waiting for in-play betting opportunities once the toss is completed.
- Toss Advantage: Given the dew factor and chasing success rate at this venue, backing the team batting second could prove profitable.
- Top Batswoman: Consider backing in-form openers like Smriti Mandhana, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, or Bharti Fulmali for top-scorer markets.
- Total Runs: The pitch favours batters, so over 340-350 combined runs could be a sensible punt.
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Match Prediction
Given the evenly matched odds, balanced head-to-head record, and strong form of both sides, this contest could swing either way. The toss will likely prove crucial, with the chasing team historically enjoying advantages at this venue. Both teams possess explosive batting lineups capable of posting or chasing substantial totals, setting the stage for an entertaining high-scoring encounter perfect for Thursday afternoon viewing in the UK.
