🏏WPL 2023 - RCB W vs GG W: Match 16 🏏 - Page 14

What a game! What a chase this has been from RCB. 188 is a tough target on any given day, any surface. Forget when you have to chase that down to stay alive in the competition, and try and help the net run rate as well. But out walked Sophie Devine and asked what all the fuss is about? We witnessed an innings of a lifetime today, as Devine whacked the bowlers all over the park, and spared nobody. It started with a 24-run second over against Gardner, and then there was another big over off Tanuja Kanwar. RCB got a whooping 77 in the powerplay, and to add further gloss their skipper Mandhana found some form again. Smriti got her highest score in the tournament, before she had a leading edge go back to bowler Sneh Rana.Sophie Devine though wasn't going to stop, as she slammed 9 fours and 8 sixes in her innings. She was slated to match the fastest women's T20 Hundred, but was dismissed for 99. Nevertheless, that was the highest score in the WPL, and some knock there. Ellyse Perry and Heather Knight completed the job that their openers left on a plate for them. Ultimately, RCB chase down 188 with more than four overs to spare. Incredible performance to keep their hopes alive.

Srini SV: "Sophie Devine has played one of the best T20 knocks ever. Phenomenal batting. Privileged to have watched her innings. And I think she has helped Smriti Mandana bat for a while and get into some batting rhythm which bodes well for their last game. Fantastic advert for the game overall. "

10.33 pm Nobody who was at the Brabourne tonight will ever forget the carnage produced by Sophie Devine. Smiles all around the RCB camp in the handshake line after the win. Their playoff hopes are still very much alive.

Extraordinary batting display, what a stroke play!!! What a game! What a chase this has been from RCB. 188 is a tough target on any given day, any surface. Forget when you have to chase that down to stay alive in the competition, and try and help the net run rate as well. But out walked Sophie Devine and asked what all the fuss is about? We witnessed an innings of a lifetime today, as Devine whacked the bowlers all over the park, and spared nobody. It started with a 24-run second over against Gardner, and then there was another big over off Tanuja Kanwar.

Raji, you missed witnessing a great game, dear. See highlights. 🤗

Sophie Devine 99 runs, from 36 balls with 9 fours and 8 sixes!!!

Sneh Rana: Short of words now. But this is what happens in the game of cricket. We had a good total but couldn't do it with the ball. I think we weren't up to the mark with the bowling, and that cost us. (On Harleen's position) We sent Meghana because she is an explosive batter, we thought she can score quick runs. I think we need to come out of this game, but we will come back stronger.

RCB allrounder Ellyse Perry: "I'd love to just talk about Sophie. Most of the time when I've seen her bat like that, it's been playing against her. So for me selfishly, it's nice to be on her side tonight. There are few people who can do what she did tonight but she's been doing it for years and what she did tonight was special. To be fair, that last shot where she got out typifies Sophie. It's not about runs for her but playing for the team. To be going for a big shot on 99 when cover was open for a single, it speaks volumes to her as a person. A special chase led by Sophie was fun to be a part of and has kept us in the competition. I don't know if Sophie can express to us what she is capable of. She's got the quickest hands and has a good stable base where she gets her power from."

100 or not , this innings will be the highlight of WPL for me . Still can't stop thinking about that 94 m six SOPHIE DEVINE, YOU GODDESS !! #RCBvsGG

In other news, Delhi Capitals have officially qualified for the playoffs as a result of today's win by RCB because only one other team can equal them on eight points (UP Warriorz) while the most that RCB and Gujarat Giants can end on is six points.

However, the final spot is still open because UP Warriorz, Gujarat Giants and RCB can still end up in a three-way tie for the third and final playoff spot on six points depending on results over the next few days.

L

Chasing a target of 189 runs, Royal Challengers Bangalore sealed an easy 8-wicket victory vs Gujarat Giants at the Brabourne Stadium .

Chasing a target of 189 runs, RCB raced to 189/2 in 15.3 overs, with Sophie Devine slamming 99 runs off 36 balls, packed with nine fours and eight sixes. Meanwhile, Kim Garth and Sneh Rana bagged a wicket each for GG. GG captain Sneh Rana initially won the toss and opted to bat. Laura Wolvaardt smacked 68 runs off 42 balls, packed with nine fours and two sixes, as GG went on to reach 188/4 in 20 overs, setting a target of 189 runs. Meanwhile, Ashleigh Gardner also smacked 41 runs off 26 balls, including six fours and a six. Meanwhile, Shreyanka Patil took two wickets for RCB, Sophie Devine and Preeti Bose bagged a dismissal each.

This match will be remembered for Devine's whirlwind innings, she sent the ball only skywards , singles were less in her innings!

Smriti Mandhana: I think we took a lot of confidence from the last game. Today, the way we bowled in the middle overs we restricted them to a good total on a good surface. And then just two words - SOPHIE DEVINE. I felt they were a bit above par given how wickets were playing, but then when we walked out to bat I realised we had done well with the ball. My job was very easy, just giving the singles to her and watching it, could have done with some popcorn. Some of the sixes were really massive. I think the whole atmoshphere has been very positive, we have improved as a bowling, fielding and batting unit. We had a few doubts the way we started but now with two wins I'm more assured that we are an amazing team.