WPL 2026 | Match 9: Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Giants | Preview and Predictions
Unbeaten and top of the table, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru will take on the in-form Gujarat Giants in Match 9 of the 2026 Women’s Premier League season at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy stadium on January 16, 2026.
For the game, here we present our preview and predictions.
Women’s Premier League 2026 | Match 9: RCB vs GG | 19:30 IST, 16 January 2026
As things stand, the 2024 WPL champions are the only unbeaten side remaining in this tournament. A Nadine de Klerk masterclass helped them get the better of defending champions Mumbai Indians in the season opener. In the second game, a professional bowling display, followed by some ruthless power-hitting, saw them register a resounding victory over the UP Warriorz, leaving them at the top of the table with a very healthy net run rate.
After failing to capitalise on their good starts against the Mumbai Indians, the RCB opening duo set the stage on fire against the Warriorz. Australia international Grace Harris (85 off 40) was the star of the show, while skipper Smriti Mandhana provided solid support from the other end with an unbeaten 47 off 32. Given the firepower they possess in the middle order thanks to the likes of Richa Ghosh, Radha Yadav, and de Klerk, restricting RCB’s batting line-up will take some doing this year.
In the bowling department, de Klerk was the star of the show with the ball as well in the opener. England international Lauren Bell has been a great addition to this squad as well with her tight and accurate bowling. Young Indian all-rounder Shreyanka Patil has also started the campaign well, having picked up three wickets in two matches.
Their opponents this Friday, the Gujarat Giants, have also started the new season in fine form and look like they’ll be one of the contenders if things fall into place. That said, after winning two close games against the UP Warriorz and the Delhi Capitals, GG came undone against the Mumbai Indians in their last game.
On a wicket where anything around 205–210 would be par, the Giants batters could only muster 192 against MI. Although two quick wickets inside the Powerplay gave them a glimmer of hope, an unbeaten 71 off 43 by MI skipper Harmanpreet Kaur quickly took the game away from them.
In the batting department, Sophie Devine and skipper Ashleigh Gardner lead the charge for the Giants with 141 and 134 runs, respectively. The likes of Beth Mooney, Georgia Wareham, and Anushka Sharma have added valuable runs around the two leading run-getters. In the bowling department, meanwhile, Devine is once again the standout performer with five wickets, while there’s an equal spread among the rest of the bowlers, with five different options sharing 11 wickets among them.
In terms of weather forecast and pitch report for this game, conditions are expected to be warm and clear, ensuring an uninterrupted evening of cricket. The surface at the DY Patil is known for its true bounce and value for shots, particularly during day games. Batters who get set can score freely, seamers may find some early movement before conditions settle, while spinners should get some purchase through the middle overs.
Both teams come into this contest high on confidence. It’s a tough one to call, especially considering how well both sides have done so far this season.
Given the wicket at the DY Patil Sports Academy has played true throughout all the games, we expect another thriller on the cards, but we are backing the Royal Challengers to continue their unbeaten run.
Fantasy XI: Grace Harris, Sophie Devine (c), Smriti Mandhana, Beth Mooney, Richa Ghosh, Ashleigh Gardner, Nadine de Klerk (vc), Georgia Wareham, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Lauren Bell, Shreyanka Patil
Venue: Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai
Winners Prediction: Royal Challengers Bengaluru
