WPL 2026 | Match 12: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants | Preview and Predictions

The 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 January 19, 2026. 

Here, we present our preview and predictions for the game.

Women’s Premier League 2026 | Match 12: RCB vs GG | 19:30 IST, 16 January 2026 

After starting the 2026 campaign with two impressive wins, Ashleigh Gardner and Co have now lost two games on the bounce and are third in the points table, with the UP Warriorz and the Delhi Capitals hot on their heels. 

After losing another close encounter to the Mumbai Indians in their third game, the Giants faced current league leaders RCB in Match 9. They started the game well, with their new-ball bowlers restricting the Royal Challengers to 45/4 at the end of the Powerplay, but a brilliant recovery by their middle order powered RCB to a competitive score of 182/7. 

Things only went from bad to worse for GG. The RCB bowlers picked up wickets in quick succession, reducing them to 70/5 in the 11th over. The only positive was a blistering knock of 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. 

Heading into the second half of the season, the Giants need to address their bowling issues, especially during the middle and death overs, where they’ve now let two opponents steal a march against them after making inroads in the Powerplay.

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, there have been three very professional and dominant performances on the bounce for the Royal Challengers.

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 orders to leave them reeling 10/4 by 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 cautiously before wreaking havoc once the field opened up. Mandhana missed out on a well-deserved hundred and was dismissed for 96 off 61, but Voll stayed till the end, remaining unbeaten on 54 off 42. 

Heading into the second leg of the season, both their fans and the management will want to see more of the same from RCB. They certainly look like the real deal this season. With quality match-winners throughout their playing XI, it is very difficult to find any weaknesses in this RCB squad. 

In terms of the weather forecast and pitch report, conditions are expected to be clear and ideal for this game. Looking at last season’s fixtures at this venue, as well as the recent ODI played here between India and New Zealand, there are runs on offer, though 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 with both 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