By Aayush Pathak January 25, 2025
New Zealand all-rounder and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Sophie Devine has decided to skip the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. Following professional advice, Devine will also sit out the remainder of the domestic season to prioritize her health and well-being.
The New Zealand Cricket (NZC) announced that Devine had made this decision after consulting with medical and support staff. “Player well-being is paramount to us—it takes precedence over everything else,” said Liz Green, NZC’s Head of Women’s High-Performance Development. “Sophie has received excellent support, and everyone agrees this is the best decision. The most important thing for NZC is that Sophie has a decent break, receives good support and care, and is fit and well before returning to professional cricket.”, the statement further added.
Devine was a crucial part of RCB’s title-winning campaign in 2024, where she scored 136 runs and took six wickets in ten matches. Her absence leaves a significant void in the team’s plans for the upcoming season, which begins on February 15 against the Gujarat Giants at the newly built BCA Stadium in Vadodara.
Overall, Devine has played 18 games for the RCB. She has scored 402 runs at an average of 23.64. Her strike rate int he WPL has been around 124. Devine has also taken 9 wickets for RCB. RCB has yet to announce a replacement for the seasoned all-rounder. However, team management, along with NZC, has expressed their full support for her decision.
Devine’s decision comes after a busy year of international and domestic cricket. She played a pivotal role in New Zealand’s T20 World Cup victory in October 2024, followed by ODI series against India and Australia. She also represented the Perth Scorchers in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).
In her most recent domestic outing, Devine showcased her brilliance with a match-winning 5 for 13 in the Super Smash for Wellington.
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