Sophie Devine missed her own record for fastest ton in women’s T20 cricket by one run. But with her 36-ball 99, Devine stormed Brabourne Stadium and the Gujarat Giants like a tornado on Saturday to help Royal Challengers Bangalore to a comfortable eight-wicket win.
Sophie Devine (PTI) of Royal Challengers Bangalore
{{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}}
{{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}}
Chasing a stiff 189 run target, RCB captain Smriti Mandhana 37 (31b) regained his batting form. But Devine on the other end was in the mood as if she’d taken a cue from compatriot Brendon McCullum to produce the best innings of the tournament. She consistently pounded the Gujarat Giants bowlers over the ropes. Her innings included nine fours and eight sixes, one of which was 94 yards – comfortably the longest in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Devine was in such a hurry that RCB’s scorer got past himself in the eighth.
At the innings break, the Gujarat Giants would have created their chances after T20 World Cup top scorer Laura Wolvaardt (68 (42b)) and Ashleigh Gardner (41 (26b)) took them to 188. But Devine made short work of the goal.
{{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}}
{{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}}
RCB managed to keep their low playoff hopes alive. RCB and GG are now both on four points with a game in hand.
