WPL 2023 : Watch Sophia Dunkley smash the fastest 50 of the tournament!

English International and Gujarat Giants opener Sophia Dunkley on Wednesday struck the fastest 50 of the inuagural edition of the Women’s Premier League T20 at the Brabourne Stadium against Smriti Mandhana led Royal Challengers Bangalore Women.

Although there are a lot of matches yet to be played in the WPL 2023 season, Dunkley for now has become the fastest Batter to achieve this famous feat. The 24-year-old gave Gujarat Giants the perfect start to their innings as they look to change their fortunes and win their first match of the tournament.

6⃣5⃣ Runs
2⃣8⃣ Balls
1⃣1⃣ Fours
3⃣ Sixes

That was one outstanding knock from @dunkleysophia 🙌 🙌

Relive it here 🎥 👇 #TATAWPL | #GGvRCB | @GujaratGiants https://t.co/MDAiqLTJHk

— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) March 8, 2023

Dunkley got to her maiden WPL half-century and it took her only 3 overs (18-balls) to reach the 50-run mark. She partnered alongside Harleen Deol for a 60-run stand and helped Gujarat Giants get to a decent start. Dunkley ultimately smashed 65 runs off 28 deliveries and it included Eleven 4s and Three 6s at a daunting strike rate of 232.14.

.@imharleenDeol top-scored for @GujaratGiants & was the team's top performer from the first innings of the #TATAWPL #GGvRCB match 👍 👍

A summary of her batting performance 🔽 pic.twitter.com/5JcbSoyFhR

— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) March 8, 2023

Harleen Deol also joined forces and grabbed a half-century. Deol smacked 67 runs off 45 balls with Nine 4s and a six with a strike rate of 143. Later on Ashleigh Gardner, Dayalan Hemalatha and Annabel Sutherland also scored quickfire 19,16 & 14 to help Gujarat Giants post a respectable total of 201.

Innings Break!

A power-packed batting performance from @GujaratGiants! 💪 💪

6⃣7⃣ for Harleen Deol
6⃣5⃣ for Sophia Dunkley

Will @RCBTweets chase down the target 🤔

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/QeECVTM7rl #TATAWPL | #GGvRCB pic.twitter.com/NLDhgsSzxp

— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) March 8, 2023

Now the job is up on the bowlers to defend such a high total but they will be facing a side which has had a similar fate as them. RCB Women are also winless in the tournament despite having one of the lethal teams in WPL. They have a strong batting line-up with Smriti Mandhana-Sophie Devine at the top.

Ellyse Perry, Heather Knight, Richa Ghosh and Poonam Khemnar form up a solid middle order. RCB Women and Gujarat Giants are currently in the 4th and 5th position in the points table respectively. Stay tuned for further updates.