WPL 2026 | Match 12: GG vs RCB | Preview and Predictions
Gujarat Giants will welcome unbeaten and top of the table Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Match 12 of the 2026 Women’s Premier League season at Kotambi Stadium on 19th January 2026.
Here is our Preview and Prediction for the game.
Women’s Premier League 2026 | Match 12: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants | 19:30 IST, 16 January 2026
After starting the 2026 campaign with two impressive wins, Ashleigh Gardner’s Gujarat Giants have now lost two games on the bounce, placing them third in the points table, however, both UP Warriorz and Delhi Capitals are hot on their heels.
After losing another close encounter to the Mumbai Indians in their third game, GG faced current league leaders RCB in Match 9 at the DY Patil Sports Academy. The Giants started the game well with their new ball bowlers restricting the Challengers to 45-4 at the end of the powerplay. But a brilliant recovery by the RCB middle-order batters powered them to a competitive score of 182 for 7.
However, things only went from bad to worse. The RCB bowlers picked up wickets in quick succession, reducing GG to 70/5 in the 11th over. The only positive was a blistering 39 off 20 from Bharti Fulmali that threatened to take the game away from RCB briefly. In the end, the Giants lost by a comprehensive 32-run margin.
Thus, heading into the second half of the second, GG would need to address their bowling – especially the middle and death overs where they’ve now let two opponents steal a march against them after making initial inroads in the Powerplay overs.
As far as their opponents are concerned, RCB are flying high at the top of the table with four wins in four and hold a healthy four-point cushion over second place. Smriti Mandhana and co have been the team to beat so far this season. Following a tight last-ball thriller against MI that went their way in the opener, it has been three very professional and dominant performances on the bounce for the Challengers now.
After dismantling GG in Match 9, RCB produced another dominant display against the Delhi Capitals. England international Lauren Bell and former GG seamer Sayali Satghare bamboozled the DC top and middle over to leave them reeling 10 for 4 in only the second over. Although DC fought back and posted 166 on the board, it was well below par on the night.
With DC striking early to remove Grace Harris cheaply, skipper Smriti Mandhana and Georgia Voll navigated the Powerplay overs cautiously before wreaking havoc once the field opened up. Mandhana missed out on a well deserved hundred after she was dismissed for 96 off 61, however, Voll stayed till the end, remaining unbeaten on 54 off 42.
Heading into the second leg of the season, the fans and the management would want to see more of the same. They certainly look like the real deal this season. They have quality match-winners throughout their playing XI and it is very difficult to find any weaknesses.
In terms of weather forecast and pitch report, conditions are expected to be clear and ideal for Cricket. Looking at last season’s fixtures at this venue as well as the recent one day international played between India and New Zealand, there’s runs on offer at this venue, however, there will also be something for the spinners.
Looking ahead to this fixture, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are high on confidence with most parts of their machinery already clicking. The same cannot be said for the Gujarat Giants who’ve recently hit a lean patch and look vulnerable both with bat and ball. Thus, we’re backing RCB to do the double on GG this season.
Fantasy XI: Grace Harris (c), Sophie Devine (vc), Smriti Mandhana, Beth Mooney, Richa Ghosh, Ashleigh Gardner, Nadine de Klerk, Georgia Wareham, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Lauren Bell, Shreyanka Patil
Venue: Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara
Winners Prediction: Royal Challengers Bengaluru
