Royal Challengers Bangalore registered a comprehensive win over Gujarat Giants in a must-win game played at Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai on 18 March 2023.
Sophie Devine produced the best innings of the WPL so far. Chasing 189 runs to win, Sophie Devine looked in brilliant touch putting pressure on Gujarat Giants bowlers. Devine smashed 24 runs in the 2nd over keeping the momentum going for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Smriti Mandhana provided some good stroke play showing her class. Devine looked in destruction mode taking the attack to Gujarat Giants bowlers. At the end of the first six overs, RCB raced away to 77 for 0. After that, the first timeout was taken.
Devine completed her fifty off 20 deliveries keeping the scoreboard ticking. She demonstrated power-hitting hitting 94 m six. She kept on putting pressure on Gujarat Giants bowlers. Smriti Mandhana gave good support to Devine. Mandhana provided a simple return catch to Sneha Rana ending a brilliant 125 runs-opening partnership. Ellyse Perry joined in the act with some lovely shots.
Devine took the attack to Ashwini Kumari hitting for big shots. She was looking for her century but was caught by Ashwini Kumari at mid-off and fell short of her century by just 1 run. Perry and Devine added 32 runs for the 2nd wicket.
Ellyse Perry and Heather Knight completed the formalities as RCB chased down the target of 189 with 27 deliveries to spare. Both batters put on unbeaten 32 runs for the 3rd wicket. It was a remarkable batting performance by Devine smashing 9 fours and 8 sixes at a strike rate of 275.
For Gujarat Giants, Kim Garth and Sneha Rana picked 1 wicket. For her 99 off 36 deliveries and 1 for 26, Sophie Devine was named the player of the match.
RCB stays alive in the tournament
Royal Challengers Bangalore is still alive in the tournament with a brilliant performance with the bat. They would be hoping that Gujarat Giants beat UP Warriorz in tomorrow’s first encounter and then hope that Delhi Capitals win their match against UP.
The bowling was not up to the mark as RCB bowlers gave away 188. Shryeanka Patil was the pick of bowlers with 2 important wickets for Laura Wolvaardt and Ash Gardner.
RCB must beat Mumbai Indians in their final league match to stay alive in the tournament. They defeated UP Warriorz by 5 wickets during the previous encounter.
Here is how Twitterati reacted to the win of Royal Challengers Bangalore:
Why you can't put price on Talent. #SophieDevine who was sold for 50 lacs INR is now the orange cap holder and picked wickets. She bowls opening spell and opens the bat and Smacks 99 of 36 balls. ❤️❤️❤️#WPL2023 #RCBvsGG @RCBTweets
— Jay🧑💻 (@iambalabharathi) March 18, 2023
#WPL #WPL2023 #TATAWPL #RCBvsGG Sophie Devine to Gujarat Giants bowlers : pic.twitter.com/e6WOJq2W9r
— Cricket With Laresh (@Lareshhere) March 18, 2023
Sophie devine u beauty 🫶
This inning will be written in golden letters in the history of #WPLT20.
Insane innings by Devil of bowlers one and only #sophiedevine pic.twitter.com/J2eheE5k54— Harsh mehta (@iamharsh_k) March 18, 2023
Sophie devine is the goat of WPL
That's it, That's the tweet pic.twitter.com/aEGfM9gb1l— leishaa ✨ (@katyxkohli17) March 18, 2023
𝟗𝟗 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝟑𝟔 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 😮😮
Missed a well deserved century by just 1 Run 💔💔
Sophie Devine, take a bow 🙌🙌#WPL2023 #RCBvsGG pic.twitter.com/B2jmonrxIB
— sʜᴜʙʜᴀᴍ ᴋᴜᴍᴀʀ | ɪɴᴅɪᴀ🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@_Mr_Shubham__) March 18, 2023
Sophie Devine!! A performance to remember this WPL.
— Sandeep (@sandeep_Vishu) March 18, 2023
SOPHIE DEVINE 🫡#CricketTwitter #WPL #RCBvGG #RCB #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/o2n8bythQY
— Jega8 (@imBK08) March 18, 2023
Sophie Devine ❤️
Mass innings 🔥#RCBvGG pic.twitter.com/zddXnPovNZ— palakurapappu (@mabbuman1) March 18, 2023
— MAHARAJ JI (@MAHARAJ96620593) March 18, 2023
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