On Wednesday against Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League 2023, Royal Challengers Bangalore came very near to winning (March 8). By top-scoring for the Royal Challengers with 66 off 45 while chasing a 202-run mark against Giants, Sophie Devine broke her batting slump.
After a painful loss to Giants, the Kiwi star expressed her gratitude for being a part of the team and claimed that Virat Kohli is her favourite Royal Challengers Bangalore cricketer. She also commended the former RCB skipper for his 82* off 53 against Pakistan on October 23 during a group-stage match of the T20 World Cup 2022.
In one of the most memorable performances in T20Is, Kohli delighted the crowd with a quickfire fifty against Pakistan. As India chased a 160-run target with four wickets left, he scored 82* off just 53 deliveries. In the 19th over, off a delivery from Haris Rauf, Kohli hit four sixes. He stunned the cricketing world, including the New Zealand captain, who dubbed the six the “shot of the year,” with a straight six directly over Haris Rauf’s head.
“Having watched RCB at the IPL, and all their quality players, it is an honour to be part of the team for WPL. To be here and finally be in the RCB colours is something I have been looking forward to. Kohli’s competitive nature is something I relate to. I enjoyed watching his innings against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup. That straight six (off Haris Rouf) was the shot of the year in cricket. You have to admire the batsmanship to execute that shot,” Devine told The Hindu.
Royal Challengers Bangalore are still at the bottom of the WPL points standings despite narrowly losing to Giants in the most recent game. and on March 13 at Navi Mumbai’s Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, they will play the Delhi Capitals.