WPL 2024 BAN-W vs GUJ-W: Match 5 Top Captain, Vice-captain Picks & Player Stats

image-lt33z9kaBeth Mooney will be a key for the Giants (Source: x.com)

The second edition of the Women's Premier League is in full flow as Royal Challengers Bangalore (BAN-W) lock horns with Gujarat Giants Women (GUJ-W). The fifth match is all set to be played on Tuesday, February 27th, 2024, at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore at 19:30 IST. Both sides will meet again in the 13th match on Wednesday, March 06th, at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi at the same time. 

The Challengers have made a winning start to their current campaign as they won a thriller against UP Warriorz by a narrow margin of just two runs. On the other hand, the Giants have made a losing start as they suffered a defeat at the hands of defending champions Mumbai Indians by five wickets in their tournament opener.


BAN-W vs GUJ-W Important Player Stats (Top 5 Players)

Player
Series Stats
Average Fantasy Points
Richa Ghosh (BAN-W)62 Runs in 1 Innings114
Sabbhineni Meghana (BAN-W)53 Runs in 1 Innings74
Asha Sobhana (BAN-W)5 Wickets in 1 Innings165
Beth Mooney (GUJ-W)24 Runs in 1 Innings36
Kathryn Bryce (GUJ-W)25 Runs and 1 Wicket in 1 Innings69
Tanuja Kanwar (GUJ-W)28 Runs and 2 Wickets in 1 Innings104


BAN-W vs GUJ-W - Toss Factor

The Chinnaswamy Stadium has always been a chasing ground. Batting second becomes easier on this flat surface and teams can easily chase down even a big target. The skipper winning the toss will definitely look to field first here. 

Scenario: If Royal Challengers Bangalore win the toss

If Royal Challengers Bangalore wins the toss, they would like to field first here. The Chinnaswamy stadium has historically been favorable to the sides batting second. Sabbhineni Meghana and Richa Ghosh were the standout performers for the Challengers in their opening fixture. The duo hit their respective half-centuries and would like to keep on doing the job again. With the ball, Asha Sobhana picked up a five-for as she and Renuka Thakur Singh will be the key.

Scenario: If Gujarat Giants win the toss

Considering the history and stadium stats, the Giants will also be looking to field first. Skipper and wicketkeeper batter Beth Mooney got start in Gujarat's opening clash against the reigning champions Mumbai Indians. The left-handed opening batter struck 24 off 22 with two fours. The Australian would like to convert her start into a substantial score this time around. Tanuja Kanwar and Lee Tahuhu will be responsible for restricting the Challengers to a low total.


BAN-W vs GUJ-W - Top Captain and Vice Captain Picks

Scenario: If Royal Challengers Bangalore Bat First

Sabbhineni Meghana - Batting at a crucial no. three spot, Sabbhineni Meghana struck 53 off 44 which includes seven fours and a maximum. against UP Warriorz. The right-handed top-order player would hope to be amongst the runs again in this fixture.


image-lt3474ytRicha Ghosh has got off to a great start in the tournament (Source: x.com)

Richa Ghosh - As mentioned above, Ghosh also hit a half-century against the Warriorz. Batting at no. five, the wicketkeeper batter smashed 62 off just 37 with the help of 12 fours and at a strike rate of 167.57. The Challengers will again rely on Ghosh to guide them to a competitive total.

Scenario: If Gujarat Giants Bat First

Beth Mooney - As mentioned above, captain Beth Mooney got start against the defending champions Mumbai Indians in the ongoing campaign. The opening batter scored 24 but now will hope to convert her start and lead her side from the front by getting a significant score under her belt.

image-lt33ya8sKathryn Bryce can be a game changer for the Gujarat Giants with both the bat and the ball (Source: x.com)

Kathryn Bryce - Kathryn Bryce had a decent outing against Mumbai Indians. The all-rounder amassed 25 runs and delivered a spell of 1/22 with one maiden in three overs. The Giants will rely on the Scottish all-rounder to put on a match-winning show with both the bat and the ball.


BAN-W vs GUJ-W - High Risk, High Reward

Smriti Mandhana (BAN-W) - Skipper Smriti Mandhana had a terrible campaign last year. The left-handed opening player struck only 149 runs in eight innings at a poor average of 19. In the current season, Mandhana got dismissed for 13 off 11 against the Warriorz. The captain is due for a big knock in the WPL and this maybe the fixture in which she delivers big.

Harleen Deol (GUJ-W) - Harleen Deol was the second highest run-getter for the Giants in WPL 2023. The right-handed top-order player scored over 200 runs at an average of 29. Harleen got out cheaply for just eight runs against Mumbai Indians in the ongoing edition. She is a risky but worthy pick considering also her position in the line-up.


BAN-W vs GUJ-W Stay Aways

Georgia Wareham (BAN-W) - Australian Georgia Wareham scored 30 runs and picked up just one wicket in two matches last season. The right-handed player also got dismissed for a duck against the Warriorz in WPL 2024. She could may be avoided for this contest.

Dayalan Hemalatha (GUJ-W) - Dayalan Hemalatha managed to score only 151 runs in eight innings last year. The right-handed player also got dismissed for just three off eight against Mumbai. It might be a better decision to stay away from Hemalatha for this fixture.