Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be without the services of New Zealand all-rounder Sophie Devine for their upcoming WPL campaign.
Sophie Devine to take break from domestic cricket
A statement released by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Saturday said that the 35-year-old would be taking a break from domestic cricket following professional advice: "White Ferns captain Sophie Devine will take a break from domestic cricket and return home immediately to prioritise her well-being.
"The decision, made by Devine this week after receiving professional advice, will mean she misses both the remainder of her Dream11 Super Smash season with Wellington, as well as her 2025 Women's Premier League commitments with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)."
Devine took a similar wellbeing break from cricket in December 2023, with a heavy workload in the preceding period cited as the reason on that occasion. At that time, the announcement came off the back of her involvement in the Big Bash League, in which she played 15 matches. She missed the first half of the 2024 Super Smash in New Zealand during her break.
Since 22 September 2024, Devine has played 30 limited-overs matches – roughly one match every four days – across Australia, the UAE, India and New Zealand. She helped New Zealand lift their first-ever World Cup, and has turned out for Perth Scorchers, Auckland and Wellington in the Big Bash, Hallyburton Johnstone Shield and Super Smash respectively, since November.
Devine was a key contributor to RCB's victorious WPL season last year, scoring 136 runs and picking up six wickets in 10 matches, and the franchise will likely sign a replacement player. Her form in the ongoing Super Smash has been inconsistent, with 38 runs and eight wickets to her name in five matches so far.
RCB have already had to replace one player for this season, with a knee injury ruling Australian Sophie Molineux out of the tournament. England's Charlie Dean was signed as her replacement earlier this month.
