'You have to admire the batsmanship to execute that shot' - Sophie Devine rates Kohi's six off Rauf as 'shot of the year'

Royal Challengers Bangalore came very close to winning their first game in the Women's Premier League 2023 season Gujarat Giants on Wednesday (March 8). Sophie Devine ended her poor run with the bat by top-scoring with 66 off 45 while but the Royal Challengers fell 11 runs short while chasing a 202-run target against Giants.

After a heartbreaking defeat against Giants, the Kiwi star said that she is honoured to be part of the franchise and revealed that Virat Kohli is her favorite cricketer at Royal Challengers Bangalore. She also praised the former RCB captain for his knock of 82* off 53 against Pakistan in a group-stage fixture at the T20 World Cup 2022 on October 23.

Kohli treated fans with a dashing fifty against Pakistan which turned out to be one of the most memorable innings in T20Is. He recorded 82* off just 53 as India chased a 160-run target on the innings' last ball with four wickets remaining.

Kohli smashed four sixes, including one off Haris Rauf's delivery in the 19th over. He hit a straight six right above Haris Rauf's head to baffle the cricketing world, including the New Zealand captain as she termed the six as 'shot of the year'.

“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. 

After narrowly missing out on a win against Giants in the last game, Royal Challengers Bangalore remain at the bottom of the WPL points table. And face Delhi Capitals in their next game at Navi Mumbai's Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy on March 13.