WPL 2023, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Giants: Player of the Match, Key Stats, Full Awards List

Chasing a stiff target of 189 set by Gujarat Giants, RCB Women reached home in just 15.3 overs. Captain Smriti Mandhana (37 off 31 balls) shared a mammoth 125-run stand with Devine for the first wicket.

Mandhana’s knock was studded with 5 fours and one six while the senior New Zealand batter’s innings were laced with 9 fours and eight maximums.

After openers were dismissed, Ellyse Perry (19* off 12) and Heather Knight (22* off 15) ensured RCB reached home without any hiccups. With this emphatic win, RCB still kept themselves in the final race.

Earlier in the day, Laura Wolvaardt’s 68-run knock of 42 balls and cameos of S Meghana (31) and Ashleigh Gardner (41) propelled Gujarat Giants to 188 for four in stipulated 20 overs.

Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Giants Full Awards List

Here is the complete list of awards from the WPL 2023 match between RCB and GG, Stats and Who Said What:

Safari Powerful Striker of the Match: Sophie Devine (RCB)

Player of the match | Sophie Devine: (On getting Orange Cap) Always nice to beat Meg in something.

(On milestone of fastest 100) I was in the zone tonight, milestones don’t get to me so at 99 it wasn’t about a drop and run, it was about getting the team home earlier. Hopefully, we can still be in the run for the playoffs.

I think I’ve got used to the conditions now, having watched a few games and I’m learning every day. It perhaps helps that I’m a bit older. Massive credit to the bowlers earlier, conditions were tough with minimal swing and no spin. They’ve done a lot of hard work today.

I think I’ve just snuck in and taken the credit with this innings. I think the one that ended up in the top tiers was my favourite shot of today.

Winning Captain, Smriti Mandhana: I think we took a lot of confidence from the last game. Today, the way we bowled in the middle overs we restricted them to a good total on a good surface. And then just two words – SOPHIE DEVINE.

(On bowing performance) I felt they were a bit above par given how wickets were playing, but then when we walked out to bat I realised we had done well with the ball.

(On Devine’s innings) My job was very easy, just giving the singles to her and watching it, could have done with some popcorn. Some of the sixes were really massive.

(On team performance) I think the whole atmosphere has been very positive, we have improved as a bowling, fielding and batting unit. We had a few doubts about the way we started but now with two wins, I’m more assured that we are an amazing team.

Losing Captain, Sneh Rana: (On the game) Short of words now. But this is what happens in the game of cricket. We had a good total but couldn’t do it with the ball. I think we weren’t up to the mark with the bowling, and that cost us.

(On Harleen’s position) We sent Meghana because she is an explosive batter, we thought she can score quick runs. I think we need to come out of this game, but we will come back stronger.

Stats from RCB vs GG match in WPL 2023

RCB batters scored 24 runs from the second over against Ashleigh Gardner

They also amassed 25 runs from Tanuja Kanwar’s over

RCB openers scored 77 in the powerplay

Devine got dismissed for 99, the highest score in WPL

Devine slammed third fastest fifty in WPL off just 19 balls

The Black Fern batter missed to slam the fastest T20 ton in women’s cricket

RCB chased down 189 with 27 balls to spare