WPL 2025 preview: RCB, DC, MI, UPW & GG's past performances ahead of Valentine's Day kickoff
As the new season of the cricket league approaches, it's the perfect time to reflect on the journey so far. Let's take a closer look at how the previous two seasons of the franchise tournament unfolded and the key moments that shaped its history.
The third season of the Women's Premier League (WPL) is just days away from kicking off on Valentine's Day (February 14), with matches set to take place across four venues: Vadodara, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Lucknow. As excitement builds and fans fill the stadiums, reaffirming that cricket transcends gender, the 3rd edition of the tournament will crown a new champion, following Mumbai Indians (MI) winning the inaugural season and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) securing the title in the second.
As the new season of the cricket league approaches, it's the perfect time to reflect on the journey so far. Let's take a closer look at how the previous two seasons of the franchise tournament unfolded and the key moments that shaped its history.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
Captain: Harmanpreet Kaur
Coach: Charlotte Edwards
Owner: Indiawin Sports Pvt. Ltd
From the Coaches Corner ??#AaliRe #MumbaiIndians #TATAWPL pic.twitter.com/N1QC90dJAU
¡ª Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) February 11, 2025
The team had a strong start in the 2023 season, finishing second in the standings with six wins and two losses from eight matches to qualify for the Top 3. Delhi Capitals (DC) topped the group stage and earned a direct spot in the final, but MI delivered an outstanding bowling performance in the title clash, restricting their opponents to just 131 runs and securing the championship.
In 2024, they managed five wins and three losses to once again qualify for the Top 3. However, their campaign ended in disappointment as they fell to RCB by seven wickets, missing out on a place in the final.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
Captain: Meg Lanning
Coach: Jonathan Batty
Owner: JSW GMR Cricket Pvt Ltd
Our Dilli squad, locked for WPL 2025 ?? pic.twitter.com/yzHuhzOz9y
¡ª Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) December 15, 2024
In 2023, the team emerged as strong favourites to win the title after an impressive league stage performance, securing six wins and just two losses to earn a direct spot in the final. However, they fell short in the decisive match, losing by seven wickets with three balls remaining.
The 2024 season saw a similar storyline unfold, as they once again dominated the league stage with six wins and two losses to qualify directly for the final. Unfortunately, history repeated itself, and they suffered another heartbreak, this time losing to RCB by eight wickets.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Captain: Smriti Mandhana
Coach: Luke Williams
Owner: Royal Challengers Sports Private Ltd
¡ª Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets) February 12, 2025
Season 1 of the WPL unfolded much like everyone expected RCB to perform, with the team managing just two wins and suffering six losses, finishing fourth among the five teams. Their two victories came at the end of the league stage but had no impact on their overall standing.
In 2024, however, fate had different plans. RCB became the third team to qualify for the Top 3 after securing four wins and four losses in the league stage. Not only that, but they also took it two steps further, defeating MI and DC to claim the championship¡ªan achievement the men's team has yet to accomplish.
Gujarat Giants (GG)
Captain: Ashleigh Gardner
Coach: Michael Klinger
Owner: Adani Sportsline Private Limited
¡°???? ??????, ?? ???'? ???? ???????, ??'?? ?? ??????!¡±
¡ª Gujarat Giants (@Giant_Cricket) February 12, 2025
As Captain Ashleigh Gardner takes charge, she shares a message for the #GiantArmy¡ one that speaks volumes of the team's resilience, fearlessness and never back down spirit. pic.twitter.com/bxr7HxxbfK
This team has struggled to find success since the inception of the WPL, enduring back-to-back disappointing seasons. In 2023, they finished at the bottom of the points table, managing just two wins while suffering six losses in the league stage.
Unfortunately, history repeated itself in 2024, as they once again ended the season with the same record, securing only two victories and finishing last in the standings. Now, with a change in leadership and a new captain at the helm, there is renewed hope for a turnaround.
UP Warriorz (UPW)
Captain: Deepti Sharma
Coach: Jon Lewis
Owner: Capri Global Holdings Private Limited
??????? ?????? has spoken. Let's get the season going ??#UPWarriorz #TATAWPL pic.twitter.com/pm10N1ox9u
¡ª UP Warriorz (@UPWarriorz) February 10, 2025
In Season 1 of the WPL, they secured a spot in the Top 3, finishing third after winning four games and losing four in the league stage. However, their campaign ended in the Eliminator, where they suffered a heavy 72-run defeat against MI.
In 2024, things did not go as planned, as they managed only three wins while losing five games, finishing fourth among the five competing teams. This year, they have also undergone a captaincy change and will be aiming for a strong comeback, with hopes of securing a top-table finish.
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Karen Noronha is a versatile journalist with a passion for sports and K-pop. With over 7 years of experience at publications like IBTimes UK, DNA, and OTTPlay/DesiMartini, she seamlessly transitions between covering global athletic events and the dynamic world of K-pop.
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