‘Bangalore back to business’- Sophie Devine’s magical knock help Bangalore register 2nd consecutive win in WTL 2023

Sophie Devine’s brutal knock of 99 off 36 balls helped Bangalore secure a commanding eight-wicket win over Gujarat in their encounter in the Women’s T20 League on Saturday. The Sneh Rana-led Gujarat outfit won the toss and elected to bat first. They got off to a brisk start and, despite losing Sophia Dunkley in the powerplay, did not let the momentum of their innings drop. Led by South African batter Laura Wolvaardt, a late replacement in the tournament for the injured Beth Mooney, Gujarat maintained a brisk run rate, reaching 100 for the loss of just two wickets in the 14th over. 

Wolvaardt, who brought up her half-century in 35 balls, eventually fell for a well-compiled 68 off 42. She was ably supported by a steady 31 from Sabbhineni Meghana and a quick-fire 41 off 26 from Ashleigh Gardener as Gujarat scored 188/4 at the end of their allotted 20 overs. Shreyanka Patil was the pick of the Bangalore bowlers, taking 2/17 in two overs, with Sophie Devine and Preeti Bose chipping in with one each.

Bangalore came out all guns blazing in the second innings, taking the opposition bowlers to task from the first ball. Devine was the aggressor-in-chief, with captain Smriti Mandhana, who had been woefully out of form throughout the tournament, also seemingly finding her touch. They raced to 50 in just 3.3 overs, with Devine bringing up her own half-century soon after, off just 20 balls. 

The team hundred was brought up as early as the 8th over without losing a wicket as Bangalore looked to be easily motoring towards the target. Their progress was halted in the 10th over when Mandhana was dismissed for 37, but Devine carried on with the carnage. Having hit nine fours and eight sixes in a blistering knock, she fell just one run short of registering the tournament’s first century, departing for 99 in the 12th over. 

The experienced duo of Ellyse Perry and Heather Knight then came together at the crease to see their side home without further incident. Bangalore secured the victory in the 16th over, getting over the finish line with 27 balls to spare. While this is just their second win of the tournament in seven games, they have come in consecutive games, and their upturn in form might be coming at just the right time. 

Here’s a look at how fans reacted to Bangalore’s second win in a row: