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Courtesy of a scintillating batting display by New Zealand veteran batter Sophie Devine, Royal Challengers Bangalore thumped Gujarat Giants to an eight-wicket win. The two sides crossed swords at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai in Match 16 of the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL).
Upon winning the toss, Sneh Rana decided to put up a target against RCB. Despite the early blow of Sophia Dunkley for 16 runs, Laura Wolvaardt scored a blistering half-century in the first innings. She took the onus of getting the vital runs as she smashed two maximums and nine boundaries to score 68 runs off 42 balls.
This was followed by Sabbhineni Meghana, who played a delicate 32-ball 31 before she was sent packing. Ashleigh Gardner, who came down the middle-order, hammered 41 runs off 26 balls, including six boundaries and one maximum.
With this, the Giants posted a competitive total of 188 runs in their stipulated 20 overs. Meanwhile, Shreyanka Patil bagged two wickets, whereas Preeti Bose and Sophie Devine got a wicket apiece.
RCB hammer Gujarat Giants in run chase
The duo of Smriti Mandhana and Sophie Devine immediately hit it off for the Bangalore-based franchise as they got runs at a rapid pace. With her aggressive knock, Devine breathed fire as she took the crowd at the Brabourne Stadium by storm.
Mandhana, too came quickly into her element and raised an impressive 125-run partnership with the veteran New Zealander. However, the skipper could not convert it into a big score and was sent back to the dugout for 37 runs by her counterpart- Sneh Rana.
Despite the fall of her wicket, Devine continued to play her explosive knock and inched close to a quick century. However, she played one-off Kim Garth in the hands of mid-off and was eventually dismissed for 99 off 36 balls.
Though the side lost two wickets, Heather Knight and Ellyse Perry steered RCB to a comfortable win by eight wickets. In doing so, RCB earned their second win in the WPL and dented Gujarat’s chances of making it to the play-offs.
Here is how Twitter reacted-
10:01 PM · Mar 18, 2023
sophie devine is Chris Gayle of RCB women
09:35 PM · Mar 18, 2023
Sophie Devine in this WPL 2023: 14(11). 16(11). 66(45). 36(24). 21(19). 14(6). 99(36). 7 innings, 266 runs, 175 strike rate – Leading runs scorer in this WPL!!!
10:25 PM · Mar 18, 2023
Easily the most heartbreaking picture of the day – Sophie Devine absolutely deserved that hundred. Madness of 99 runs from just 36 balls, breathtaking knock!
10:19 PM · Mar 18, 2023
10:30 PM · Mar 18, 2023
Heartbreak for Sophie Devine. She got out on 99 runs but nevertheless what an amazing innings played by Sophie Devine. She smashed 99 runs from 36 balls including 9 fours and 8 sixes against GG.
10:30 PM · Mar 18, 2023
10:31 PM · Mar 18, 2023
10:31 PM · Mar 18, 2023
10:32 PM · Mar 18, 2023
10:32 PM · Mar 18, 2023
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