Kapp to Wyatt-Hodge, 1 run, square of the wicket

Kapp to Wyatt-Hodge, no run, fullish on off, Wyatt-Hodge gets forward to push it wide of point, Mandhana is not interested in the quick single

Kapp to Wyatt-Hodge, no run

Kapp to Mandhana, 1 run, to deep square leg

Mandhana and Wyatt-Hodge are at the crease. Mandhana is on strike. Kapp will open the attack

We are all set.

So that's four games at the Chinnaswamy for RCBW and all four tosses Smriti has lost. She mentioned that too at the toss and wore a rueful smile. Mithali and Anjum feel the pitch plays much better in the second innings. Will that be the case tonight too? If yes then that is a big toss that is won by Lanning.

So one change each for RCBW and DCW - for the former - Prema Rawat out and Ekta Bisht in. For the latter Titas Sadhu makes way for Nallapureddy Charani.

Smriti Mandhana: Would have bowled first today. With my tosses having lost four in a row, have to be ready for batting (smiles ruefully). (on the crowd) They have come out in huge numbers in the last three games, could not do much, last home game for us, hopefully we will do them proud today. Having a fresh mindset every match is what is spoken about, franchise cricket you can't predict much, you will do right and do right wrong. We had a good discussion and the girls seem very positive. (against Delhi) Last two matches we played against them, we played positive cricket, our bowlers dominated them but we have to come out and do well, hopefully a first home win for us tonight.

Meg Lanning: We are bowling first. That seems to have worked pretty well for us throughout the tournament. But it's a new day today and facing RCB is a big challenge. We try and switch off throughout the day and come back and be switched on during this time. We don't rely on one or two players. we have got good depth and we have got to look to them tonight.

Teams:

Delhi Capitals Women (Playing XI): Meg Lanning(c), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp, Jess Jonassen, Sarah Bryce(w), Niki Prasad, Shikha Pandey, Minnu Mani, Nallapureddy Charani

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (Playing XI): Smriti Mandhana(c), Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Ellyse Perry, Richa Ghosh(w), Raghvi Bist, Kanika Ahuja, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Sneh Rana, Renuka Singh Thakur, Ekta Bisht

Mandhana tosses the coin. Heads is the call and heads it is.

Delhi Capitals Women have won the toss and have opted to field

Mandhana tosses the coin. Heads is the call and heads it is.

Out walk the captains to the middle. Lanning chatting to Mandhana who smiles. The crowd cheer. Chants of Aarrrrrrrr-Ceeeeeeee-Beeeeeeee around the Chinnaswamy.

Pitch report by Anjum Chopra: The side boundaries are 55m and 59m. The straight boundary is 69m on one side.

18:07 Local Time, 12:37 GMT, 18:07 IST: After a comprehensive win against Mumbai Indians last evening, Delhi Capitals are back in action today as they go up against a team that's in desperate need of a turnaround. RCB are coming into this encounter on the back of three consecutive losses and they can't afford many more slip-ups with the race for the top three spots heating up. The Bengaluru-based team hasn't enjoyed the home leg of the competition, suffering a hattrick of losses at the Chinnaswamy after starting their campaign with back-to-back wins in Vadodara. Today is their last chance at redemption before the tournament moves to Lucknow for the next round of matches. Stay tuned for toss and teams.

Preview

We are nearing that stage of the tournament where every result can have a bearing on a team's qualification chances. Royal Challengers Bengaluru aren't in a do-or-die zone just yet, but more slip-ups could lead them there. The defending champions started the campaign with successive wins but have, ironically, lost the plot since the WPL caravan moved to Bengaluru. RCB are winless in all three games played in the city and will hope to sign off their home leg with a win for several reasons.

More than the defeats, it is the manner of the losses that will sting Smriti Mandhana's side the most. Riding on Ellyse Perry's solo acts, they posted strong totals against MI and UPW but tactical mishaps saw them end up on the losing side. The super-over defeat to the Warriorz, in particular, would hurt and the reigning champions will hope that the result doesn't come back to bite them later. The previous game against Gujarat Giants saw an absolute batting disaster, and the overdependence on Perry is now a concern, especially with Mandhana blowing hot and cold.

For RCB to thrive, they need the batting to fire on all cylinders because the bowling department isn't as rounded as it was last season, owing to the list of absentees. The task, however, is only going to get tougher as they gear up to face DC, the best bowling attack of the competition. Meg Lanning's girls are sitting pretty at the top, nudging Mumbai Indians on net run rate, although DC have also played an extra game. They did have the odd blip, but largely, the side looks to have all bases covered once again. Skipper Lanning's form had been a concern but the Aussie veteran looked close to her best in last night's win against MI.

Playing back-to-back games is never easy and that is one factor that could test DC's durability, but a six-day break after this game should balance things out. Powerplay in the first innings has been a decisive phase of matches this season and that's where DC shine through with Marizanne Kapp and Shikha Pandey getting the new ball to talk. Jess Jonassen and Annabel Sutherland have also been very effective in their roles, seldom allowing opposition batters off the hook. They haven't been as menacing as in previous seasons, but DC's bowling seems to be peaking at the right time.

The two sides seem evenly matched in the batting department, although DC seem to have an edge in terms of depth. The bowling, however, is heavily stacked in DC's favour, and their all-round superiority gives them the edge going into this contest. RCB will need their big guns to come to the party if they are to compete.

When: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Capitals, March 1, 2025 at 7:30 PM IST

Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

What to expect: Contrary to its reputation as a run-fest venue, Bengaluru has often provided a balanced contest in the WPL, offering something for everyone. Batters have found value for their shots, but both seamers and spinners have remained in the game. The chasing bias persists, prompting captains to opt for bowling after winning the toss, even when dew is not a major factor.

Team news:

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Legspinner Prema Rawat was surprisingly brought back into the XI at the expense of the more experienced Ekta Bisht. The left-arm spinner could slot back in at the rookie's expense in what might be the only change for RCB.

Probable XI: Smriti Mandhana(c), Danny Wyatt-Hodge, Ellyse Perry, Raghvi Bist, Richa Ghosh(wk), Georgia Wareham, Kanika Ahuja, Sneh Rana, Kim Garth, Ekta Bisht, Renuka Singh Thakur.

Delhi Capitals

Ideally, they would have wanted to rest a couple of key players, with the side having to play back to back games but the scenario doesn't give them that luxury. They are unlikely to tinker with their combination for this game.

Probable XI: Meg Lanning(c), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp, Jess Jonassen, Sarah Bryce(wk), Niki Prasad, Shikha Pandey, Minnu Mani, Titas Sadhu.