The Women’s Premier League (WPL) Season 3 continues with an exciting clash as UP Warriorz Women (UP-W) take on Royal Challengers Bangalore Women (RCB-W) on 8 March 2025. This match number 18 of the season will be played at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. With both teams aiming for crucial points, fans can expect a thrilling contest.
Here’s a complete match preview including Dream11 team suggestions, pitch report, match time, and live streaming details.
Match Overview
- Fixture: UP Warriorz Women (UP-W) vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Women (RCB-W)
- Date: March 8, 2025
- Match Number: 18
- Venue: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
- Start Time: 7:30 PM IST
Pitch Report – Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
The Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow offers a balanced surface, with a slight edge for bowlers as the match progresses. Here’s what to expect:
- Batting Conditions: The average first innings score in T20s here is around 160-170, but WPL matches have seen totals in the 175-180 range due to aggressive batting.
- Bowling Assistance:
- Pacers get early seam movement and bounce, making the first few overs crucial.
- Spinners dominate in the middle overs as the pitch slows down, making them key players.
- Dew Factor: Dew plays a big role in evening matches, making chasing easier.
- Toss Strategy: Teams winning the toss may choose to bowl first to capitalize on the dew factor and restrict the opposition.
Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips
Here are some top Dream11 player picks based on form, venue conditions, and match-ups:
Key Players to Consider
Wicketkeepers:
✅ Richa Ghosh (RCB-W) – An aggressive batter who can accelerate in the middle overs. Strong behind the stumps too.
✅ Uma Chetry (UP-W) – A decent pick if she gets a chance higher up the order, though her role may be limited.
Batters:
✅ Smriti Mandhana (RCB-W) – The RCB captain is a stroke-maker but has been inconsistent. If she gets going, she can be a match-winner.
✅ Tahlia McGrath (UP-W) – A consistent middle-order batter, who has been UP-W’s anchor throughout the season.
✅ Ellyse Perry (RCB-W) – A proven all-rounder with 295 runs in 6 innings and a wicket to her name. A safe captain choice.
All-Rounders:
✅ Deepti Sharma (UP-W) – The local star thrives on slow tracks. A must-pick due to her all-round ability.
✅ Grace Harris (UP-W) – A power-hitter and match-winner with both bat and ball. Top vice-captaincy contender.
✅ Chinelle Henry (UP-W) – Offers pace bowling and late-order hitting. Can be an X-factor.
Bowlers:
✅ Sophie Ecclestone (UP-W) – One of the world’s best spinners, with 6 wickets in 7 games in WPL 2025. A key bowler on this pitch.
✅ Renuka Singh Thakur (RCB-W) – A quality swing bowler with 10 wickets in 6 matches. Dangerous in powerplays.
✅ Georgia Wareham (RCB-W) – A leg-spinner with 9 wickets in 6 matches, capable of breaking partnerships.
Dream11 Team Suggestion
Here’s a well-balanced Dream11 team for UP-W vs RCB-W (WPL Season 3):
- Wicketkeeper: Richa Ghosh
- Batters: Smriti Mandhana, Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry (C), Chinelle Henry
- All-Rounders: Deepti Sharma, Grace Harris (VC), Chinelle Henry
- Bowlers: Sophie Ecclestone, Renuka Singh Thakur, Georgia Wareham
Captain & Vice-Captain Picks:
🔹 Captain: Ellyse Perry – Safe choice due to her all-round contributions.
🔹 Vice-Captain: Grace Harris – Explosive batter + handy bowler = great fantasy pick.
📌 Differential Pick: Deepti Sharma – Home conditions and all-round abilities make her a wildcard pick.
💡 Tip: Adjust your team based on the toss and final playing XI at 7:00 PM IST.
Match Time & Live Streaming Details
- Start Time: 7:30 PM IST (2:00 PM GMT)
- Toss Time: 7:00 PM IST (30 minutes before the match)
- Duration: The match will run for around 3 to 3.5 hours, ending by 10:30 – 11:00 PM IST.
How to Watch UP-W vs RCB-W Live?
- TV Broadcast: Star Sports Network (Sports18 channels in India)
- Online Streaming: JioHotstar app and website (free access for all WPL 2025 matches).
- Availability: Coverage begins at 7:00 PM IST with pre-match analysis.
Winning Prediction – Who Will Win UP-W vs RCB-W?
🔹 UP Warriorz (UP-W) have the advantage due to their spin-heavy bowling attack (Sophie Ecclestone, Deepti Sharma) on a slow Lucknow pitch.
🔹 However, RCB-W’s powerful batting line-up (Smriti Mandhana, Perry, Richa Ghosh) could overcome the conditions if they bat second with the dew factor favouring them.
🔹 Chasing team will have the edge, given the expected dew conditions in the second innings.
Concluding Thoughts – A Thrilling Clash Awaits!
With UP-W looking to capitalize on their home advantage and RCB-W relying on their star-studded batting, this match promises to be an exciting contest in WPL Season 3. Expect bowlers to play a crucial role, but if RCB-W’s top order fires, they could chase down any target with ease.
Who are you backing in this high-stakes encounter? Let us know in the comments!