GG Women vs RCB Women, 16th Match at Mumbai, WPL, Mar 18 2023 - Match Result

10.33 pm Nobody who was at the Brabourne tonight will ever forget the carnage produced by Sophie Devine. Smiles all around the RCB camp in the handshake line after the win. Their playoff hopes are still very much alive.

Srini SV: "Sophie Devine has played one of the best T20 knocks ever. Phenomenal batting. Privileged to have watched her innings. And I think she has helped Smriti Mandana bat for a while and get into some batting rhythm which bodes well for their last game. Fantastic advert for the game overall. "

Sneh Rana: "I am short of words right now [about Devine's knock]. That is the game of cricket. It was a good total on the board but we couldn't do it with the ball. It was a good total on this pitch. We were not up to the mark with our bowling."

RCB allrounder Ellyse Perry: "I'd love to just talk about Sophie. Most of the time when I've seen her bat like that, it's been playing against her. So for me selfishly, it's nice to be on her side tonight. There are few people who can do what she did tonight but she's been doing it consistently for years and what she did tonight was special. To be fair, that last shot where she got out typifies Sophie. It's not about runs for her but playing for the team. To be going for a big shot on 99 when cover was open for a single, it speaks volumes to her character as a person. A special chase led by Sophie was fun to be a part of and has kept us in the competition. I don't know if Sophie can express to us what she is capable of. She's got the quickest hands and has a good stable base where she gets her power from."

In other news, Delhi Capitals have officially qualified for the playoffs as a result of today's win by RCB because only one other team can equal them on eight points (UP Warriorz) while the most that RCB and Gujarat Giants can end on is six points. However, the final spot is still open because UP Warriorz, Gujarat Giants and RCB can still end up in a three-way tie for the third and final playoff spot on six points depending on results over the next few days.

RCB captain Smriti Mandhana: "From the last game we took a lot of confidence to get the first win on the board. Standing at the other end from Sophie was fun. In recent past, the way wickets have been playing, we thought they were 20 above the par score but then when we came out to bat, the wicket looked very good. So after batting, I think we restricted them very well. My thought [from the non-striker's end] was just that I need some popcorn to watch the show. My job was just to get a single and get Sophie on strike. A few of the sixes were really massive. We knew we might play the eliminator or we might not but the atmosphere has remained positive around the entire team. The way we started, we had doubts about what has happened, but the last two matches I am sure we are an amazing team."

Player of the Match is.... Sophie Devine: "We've played a number of games here now and to sit back and watch how other people play, it's been good to see how other batters go about it. So even just watching Ash Gardner bat, I learned a lot and just took out the best bits and applied it to how I wanted to bat. It's nice to be able to contribute with both bat and bowl. I was happy to be able to put RCB into a winning position tonight. [On her favorite shot of the night] I think the one I got up there [into the second tier] I was pretty happy with."

That's it from today's live coverage. What an extraordinary night it was at the Brabourne. Tomorrow is a day off. Come back on Monday for more live coverage of the WPL. Until then, take care!

JKJ: "Who cares if it was 100 or 99, lets get rid of this hundred culture". Not just Sophie Devine, but Glenn Maxwell heartily agrees with you.

Abhishek: "We're talking about Smriti while no one bats an eye at that pitiful innings by meghana for GG. Absolutely ridiculous on this pitch to strike at less than 100"

Sks: "I was wishing devine to hit a six on 99 just like Baz did on that first 100. She went for it too but it was not meant to be. Heartbroken."

Hari: "I feel the 3rd place finish will come down to NRR with all 3 teams finishing with 6 points.GG will obviously think of huge comeback against UP and RCB will go blazing against MI who might play a depleted side."

Crowd has gone eerily silent since Devine got out after sounding like a rock concert while she was at the crease. The waning stages of this chase are turning out to be incredibly anticlimactic.

Shailesh K : "Sophie deserved that 100. What an Intent, What a Class, One of the best and selfless innings 99 off 36. "

Akram: "I haven't seen a cricketer as dejected and lost of any hope as Ashley Garnder seems today."

Gardner takes her cap back from the umpire and covers her face with it. She looks like she wants to be anywhere but on the field right now. Body language has been consistently poor from their high-paid star allrounder.

AJ: "Cannot understand GG strategy here. With NRR in mind why would not you bring your best bowlers when a batsman is on song instead of tossing the ball to lesser bowlers. "

Ved: "You just have to have the mindset only Devine can have to go for a boundary on 99. Just reminds me of Viru. Simply amazing. "