WPL 2025: Watch - Smriti Mandhana humiliates Gujarat Giants with 'it’s our home ground' statement

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Smriti Mandhana received a huge reception from the crowd during the opening game of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 against Gujarat Giants. The tournament opener between the teams is taking place at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) skipper Smriti Mandhana, who is one of the most loved Indian players, had a great start to the tournament as she won the toss against and put the opposition into bat first. However, with Vadodara being the home ground of Gujarat, it was expected that they would be having a huge support.

However, that wasn't the case, as it was Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) who had great support, and fans went berserk when Smriti Mandhana won the toss. All that was heard was 'RCB RCB' chants and even the skipper of the defending champions acknowledged that.

I thought it was going to be Gujarat's home ground, but it looks like it is our home ground - Smriti Mandhana after winning the toss

Smriti Mandhana, at the toss, mentioned that she expected it to be the home ground of Gujarat Giants, but it looks like it is theirs. "I think it was going to be Gujarat’s home ground, but it looks like it’s our home ground," she said.

She also talked about her decision to field first and said:

"It's good to be back in Baroda. We were here a month back. I thought it was going to be Gujarat's home ground, but it looks like it is our home ground. We would like to bowl first. Dew is a big factor, so it is better to have a few overs out before dew comes in.

"We had good practice sessions, preparation has been good. Few forced changes. Perry, Wareham, Danny and Kim are the four overseas players."

Watch: Smriti Mandhana receives massive cheers from fans after she wins the toss in the first game of WPL 2025

Here's the video:

🗣️ Smriti: “I think it was going to be Gujarat’s homeground, but it looks like it’s our homeground” ❤️

Get ready to hear the “RCB… RCB…” chants wherever we go for the next few months! 🔥😉#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #SheIsBold #WPL2025

pic.twitter.com/lwnzPZ7H2A

— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 14, 2025

RCB are defending champions

Smriti Mandhana, under whom Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won the Women's Premier League last year, would be keen to carry on the same form from last year and help her team defend the title.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru started the game on a decent note with the ball. Renuka Singh and Georgia Wareham picked one wicket each. Along with the wickets at regular intervals, bowlers have made sure that they restrict the run flow and do not allow Gujarat Giants to score runs quickly.

RCB would be hoping to restrict Gujarat Giants to a total of under 150 runs and chase the target. Win in the first game would be essential for both the teams as it will surely set the tempo for entire tournament.

The form of skipper Smriti Mandhana will be crucial for RCB in the tournament. She led from the front last year and with her being in the red-hot form, team management would be hoping that she scores truckloads of runs this year as well.

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