RCB vs GG, WPL 2023 Highlights: Sophie Devine Stars as Royal Challengers Bangalore Thump Gujarat Giants by 8 Wickets

And that’s how a colossal target is chased. Sophie Devine was on song right from the beginning, when she hammered 22 runs in Ash Gardner’s first over. It wasn’t a matter of just a single over but it continued for the majority of RCB’s brave chase. 9 boundaries and 8 sixes came off Devine’s willow tonight as she scored 99 off 36. It was indeed a heart-break not only for the batter but for every individual who was thrilled by her ferocious knock. Had she not smashed those big shots, the results could have been different. But for now, Devine’s 99 will go down as the best knock of WPL 2023 which saw her taking the orange cap from Meg Lanning and also helping RCB chase 189 in just 15.3 overs.

Smirti Mandhana scored 37 off 31 while Ellyse Perry and Heather Knight gave the finishing touch with an unbeaten partnership of 32 runs for the third wicket. For Gujarat Giants, Kim garth (1/32) and Sneh Rana (1/25) were the only wicket-takers.

Tanuja Kanwar and Ash Gardner had an underwhelming night with the ball. Both of them leaked runs at an economy of 16 or more. RCB are just 13 runs away from victory.

RCB: 176/2 after 14 overs.

That’s a massive heartbreak for Sophie Devine. It could have been a 36-ball hundred but she took the aerial route and lack of height aided the Ashwani Kumari at the edge of the circle to jump up and grab onto the catch. An unfortunate twist in the plot. But hats off to her for making the chase of 189 look like a cakewalk for RCB.

RCB: 157/2 after 11.5 overs

A boundary to Ashwani Kumar takes Sophie Devine to 90. Length delivery, Devine Shuffles and lofts it over extra cover fielder’s head for a boundary

RCB: 144/1 after 10.4 overs

Another maximum from Sophie Devine and it clocked 77 meters. Half-volley from Ashwani Kumari, Devine heaves it over deep mid-wicket for a six.

RCB: 137/1 after 10.1 overs

Smriti Mandhana falls. She looked a bit nervous and her innings has been ended by her counterpart, Sneh Rana. Fuller onto off, Mandhana tried to clip it leg side but gets a leading edge. Lobs straight to Rana.

RCB: 125/1 after 9.2 overs

Sophie Devine seems unstoppable tonight. She is toying with every Gujarat bowler and now, Tanuja Kanwar facer her wrath.

RCB: 125/1 after 9 overs

Sophie Devine has been in a different zone altogether. She smashes a maximum to Harleen Deol and brings up her fifty off just 20 balls. What an innings she is playing.

RCB: 99/0 in 8 overs

Ash Gardner back into the attack but couldn’t keep RCB’s run-flow in check. 13 runs from the second over of her spell while Smrit-Devine are marching ahead.

RCB: 90/0 after 7 overs

Smriti Mandhana and Sophie Devine add 77 runs for the first wicket in 6 overs and that’s the second-best powerplay score in the WPL 2023.

RCB: 77/0 after 6 overs

Kim Garth to Mandhana – Four!

Length ball, Mandhana shuffles inwards and then pulls behind square for a boundary.

RCB: 72/0 after 5.2 overs

The captain comes into the attack but couldn’t bring respite for her team, Gujarat Giants. Rana hit for a couple of boundaries, each by Mandhana and Devine, and she ends up conceding 11 runs off the 5th over.

RCB: 68/0 after 5 overs

Tanuja Kanwar to Smriti Mandhana – 6, 4Nb, 4. After watching her opening partner going berserk with the bat, the RCB skipper shifts gear and its complete destruction at the CCI in Mumbai.

RCB: 57/4 after 4 overs.

That’s absolutely insane hitting from Sophie Devine. She just hammered Ash Gardner left, right and center to garner 24 runs from the over. Probably the most-expensive second over of the tournament.

RCB: 37/0 after 2 overs

Garth bowls it short and Mandhana punches through deep extra cover where for her first boundary of the game.

RCB: 13/0 after 1 over.

The WPL has seen ample wide and no-balls getting reviewed and this one by Gujarat Giants adds to the list. Second ball of the innings and it goes past the keeper for a boundary. The umpire gives it a wide but the review shows the ball brushed Sophie Devine’s pads.

RCB: 5/0 after 0.2 over

Smriti Mandhana goes off the mark with a single off the very first ball.

RCB skipper Smriti Mandhana and Sophie Devine walk out to begin the chase of 189. Kim Garth opens the attack for Gujarat Giants.

Harleen Deol and D Hemalatha together smashed 22 runs off the last over to set RCB a 189-run target. A couple of boundaries and as many sixes off the final over bowled by Megan Schutt, making it the most expensive over of the innings. Royal Challengers Bangalore now need to score 189 to win this crucial game.

The second legal delivery of the final over gets hit for a boundary and the credit goes to Harleen Deol. She rocks back and cuts away behind square for four runs and then flicks the next ball over the same direction for a maximum.