WPL 2023: Sophie Devine’s 99 inspire RCB’s mega win over GG; UPW beat MI in Saturday’s double-header

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2023 saw an exciting double-header on Saturday where UP Warriorz defeated Mumbai Indians (MI) in the afternoon fixture while Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) got the better off Gujarat Giants (GG) in the evening game.

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That winning feeling! 🤩 @Sophecc19 #MIvUPW #UPWarriorzUttarDega #WPL pic.twitter.com/p5jZJ69Z5x

— UP Warriorz (@UPWarriorz) March 18, 2023

Bowling first, UP bundled out Mumbai for 127 in 20 overs, with opener Hayley Matthews scoring the maximum 35 off 30 balls. Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the bowler for the Warriorz, bagging three wickets for 15 runs in her quota of 4 overs. Similarly, Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Deepti Sharma picked up two wickets each.

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Sophie Ecclestone is here. Sophie Ecclestone is there. Oh, she is everywhere. What a player!

She makes spin bowling look easy. And she can tonk too.

Deepti also would be pleased that she made a contribution in this game.

— Bharath Ramaraj (@Fancricket12) March 18, 2023

In the chase, Mumbai bowlers took the game to the wire keeping the Warriorz run for their money. Grace Harris with 39 off 28 and Tahlia McGrath with 38 off 25 top-scored for UP as the Alyssa Healy-led side completed the chase with three balls to spare and five wickets in hand.

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We fall short, but gave it our all! 💙#OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #AaliRe #WPL2023 #MIvUPW pic.twitter.com/YKvNtdWOu1

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 18, 2023

The second fixture was a high-scoring encounter with both sides scoring over 180 runs in their respective innings. Batting first, the Giants posted 188/4 in 20 overs, courtesy of Laura Wolvaardt’s brilliant 68-run knock.

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Some finish from the #Giants as they score 53 runs off the last 4 overs! 🤯🔥

Let’s make it 2 in a row, girls! 🤞#GujaratGiants #RCBvGG #TATAWPL #WPL2023 pic.twitter.com/fVDB9STQCG

— Gujarat Giants (@GujaratGiants) March 18, 2023

The massive target was gunned down easily by the Challengers as they completed the chase within 16 overs. Opener Sophie Devine destroyed the Giants’ bowling attack with her whirlwind batting exhibition.

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A BREATHTAKING CHASE! 😮‍💨

A mammoth total gunned down with 27 deliveries to spare 🤌

✌wins in ✌games! We love this team 🥹❤#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #SheIsBold #WPL2023 #RCBvGG pic.twitter.com/1WoZ3n6N4H

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) March 18, 2023

Devine formed a scintillating 125-run opening partnership with captain Smriti Mandhana as the duo kept the run-rate high to keep their side in the chase. Devine missed out on smashing what could be a stunning century by a solitary run as she was dimsieed on 99 from just 36 deliveries, with the help of nine fours and eight sixes. The Challengers eventually finished off the proceedings in 15.3 overs with eight wickets in hand.

Sophie Devine scored an incredible 99 off just 36 deliveries in a successful run-chase for @RCBTweets and bagged the Player of the Match award 👏👏#RCB registered their second win in a row 👌🏻

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/6bZ3042C4S #TATAWPL | #RCBvGG pic.twitter.com/ytfyFsd5nV

— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) March 18, 2023

Source: WomenCricket.com