Bengaluru, February 24, 2025 – After a near-perfect start to their title defense, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will be eager to bounce back when they take on UP Warriorz at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Despite two commanding victories, RCB stumbled against Mumbai Indians in their last game, a result they will look to put behind them quickly.
UP Warriorz, on the other hand, have had a contrasting journey. After starting the season with back-to-back defeats, they finally got off the mark with a convincing win over Delhi Capitals. With the tournament moving at a rapid pace, both teams will be looking to build momentum.
RCB Banking on Home Advantage
RCB are the only team with the luxury of playing four home games this season. Having lost the first of those against MI, they will be keen to make the remaining fixtures count. Their batting unit, led by Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry, has fired in patches, but they’ll want more consistency, especially in crunch moments.
Despite the MI defeat, RCB are likely to stick with their winning combination from the first two games. Their bowling attack, spearheaded by Renuka Thakur and Kim Garth, has been effective, but they’ll need to be sharper against a Warriorz side hungry for more wins.
UP Warriorz Eye Stability in Batting
UP Warriorz finally broke the trend of successful chases in the tournament by defending their total against Delhi. However, their top order remains inconsistent, with Tahlia McGrath yet to make an impact. The big positive has been Chinelle Henry, who has been explosive down the order, striking 11 of her 38 deliveries for sixes. A promotion up the order could be on the cards for the hard-hitting all-rounder.
What to Expect
The Chinnaswamy pitch has been conducive to high scores, with 170-plus totals being breached in three of the four matches so far. Spinners have also been in the wickets, meaning players like Sophie Ecclestone and Georgia Wareham could play a crucial role.
With clear skies and a charged-up home crowd, RCB will look to get their campaign back on track, while UP Warriorz will aim to build on their newfound momentum.
Match Details
- When: February 24, 2025, 7:30 PM IST
- Where: M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- Weather: Clear skies, ideal conditions for cricket
Probable XIs
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Smriti Mandhana (c), Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Ellyse Perry, Raghvi Bist, Richa Ghosh (wk), Kanika Ahuja, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Ekta Bisht, Joshitha VJ, Renuka Thakur
UP Warriorz: Kiran Navgire, Tahlia McGrath, Shweta Sehrawat, Vrinda Dinesh, Deepti Sharma (c), Chinelle Henry, Grace Harris, Kranti Goud, Saima Thakor, Sophie Ecclestone, Uma Chetry (wk)
RCB will be determined to put the MI loss behind them, while UP Warriorz will hope to build on their recent success. With both teams eager for a crucial win, an exciting clash awaits in Bengaluru.
