WPL 2023: Sophie Devine shines as RCB beat Gujarat Giants by 8 wickets

Sophie Devine lit up the Mumbai skyline with an astonishing 36-ball 99 as Royal Challengers Bangalore made short work of a 189-run target for an eight-wicket victory over Gujarat Giants in the Women's Premier League here on Saturday.

It rained sixes from the broad willow of Devine as RCB breezed past the target with as many as 27 balls to spare and keep their slim playoff hopes alive with a second successive victory.

Devine, who has also represented New Zealand in hockey before starting out in cricket as a bowler often batting at number 11, played an innings that will go down as one of the finest in the history of the T20 format.

During her stay in the middle, Devine struck eight towering sixes and nine fours.

Earlier, South Africa's star batter Laura Wolvaardt top-scored with a scintillating 42-ball 68 before a 22-run final over powered Gujarat Giants to 188 for four.

Ashleigh Gardner (41 off 26 balls) also played a brisk knock before Harleen Deol (12 not out) and Dayalan Hemalatha (16 not out) ended GG's innings by smashing a clueless Megan Schutt for two sixes and two fours.

Chasing a stiff target, RCB were off to a rollicking start with the opening duo of skipper Smriti Mandhana (37) and Sophie Devine sending the GG bowlers on a leather hunt with their breathtaking batting.

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