The Delhi Capitals (DC) face the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in a rematch of the WPL 2024 final, on February 17, 2025, at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara. Both teams secured wins in their 2025 season opener, though their performances were shaky. DC had a controversial match against Mumbai Indians, benefiting from dubious run-out decisions. Due to illness, DC may field one fewer overseas player, potentially replacing Niki Prasad with Marizanne Kapp. RCB welcomes Sneh Rana as a replacement for injured Shreyanka Patil. Captain Smriti Mandhana faces challenges against offspin, while Meg Lanning seeks to regain form after retirement.
Delhi Capitals (DC) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, February 17, 2025, 7.30pm IST
This is a rematch of the previous season’s final. After finishing at the top of the league stage in WPL 2024, DC was undoubtedly optimistic about securing the trophy. Playing on their home turf and holding a 4-0 head-to-head advantage over RCB, they seemed poised for victory. However, for the second consecutive season, they fell short at the final hurdle.
Both DC and RCB kicked off their 2025 season with a win. RCB triumphed over Gujarat Giants in the tournament opener, while DC clinched a nail-biting last-ball victory against Mumbai Indians. Nevertheless, neither victory was executed flawlessly. In their chase of 202, RCB needed 79 runs from the final six overs, with Richa Ghosh and Kanika Ahuja steering them to success. Similarly, DC might have faced defeat had it not been for three controversial run-out calls going in their favor.
DC faced a challenge with illness spreading through their camp, forcing them to field one fewer overseas player in their lineup. If available, Marizanne Kapp could step in to replace Niki Prasad; however, finding a spot for Jess Jonassen may prove to be more complicated.
Delhi Capitals (probable): 1 Meg Lanning (capt), 2 Shafali Verma, 3 Jemimah Rodrigues, 4 Alice Capsey, 5 Marizanne Kapp/Niki Prasad, 6 Annabel Sutherland, 7 Sarah Bryce (wk), 8 Shikha Pandey, 9 Radha Yadav, 10 Arundhati Reddy, 11 Minnu Mani
Now that Shreyanka Patil is out of the tournament, RCB has brought in Sneh Rana as a direct replacement. Rana could see immediate action, taking over from Prema Rawat in the XI.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (probable): 1 Smriti Mandhana (capt), 2 Danni Wyatt-Hodge, 3 Ellyse Perry, 4 Raghvi Bist, 5 Richa Ghosh (wk), 6 Kanika Ahuja, 7 Georgia Wareham, 8 Sneh Rana, 9 Kim Garth, 10 VJ Joshitha, 11 Renuka Singh
Having retired from international cricket, Meg Lanning appeared a bit out of sync in DC’s opening match. Shabnim Ismail consistently challenged her with pace, eventually dismissing her for 15 off 19 balls. The opening pairs of Lanning and Shafali Verma have been crucial to DC’s achievements in the first two seasons, and the team will be eager for their captain to return to peak form soon.
Smriti Mandhana seems to struggle against offspin, particularly early in her innings. In the last match, she faced just two deliveries from Ashleigh Gardner before getting out. DC is likely to exploit this vulnerability, testing her with not just one but two offspinners: Alice Capsey and Minnu Mani. It will be fascinating to observe how Mandhana adapts her strategy.
