After seeking professional counsel, New Zealand captain and allrounder Sophie Devine has decided to "prioritize her well-being" and due to this, she will also be missing the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025. She will go back home and also miss the rest of the current domestic season. The decision on Devine's playing future "will be announced in due course," according to a NZC release.
It also stated that the RCB, Cricket Wellington, and NZC all backed her decision to take a break. The RCB has not yet announced a replacement. Devine has scored 38 runs and picked up eight wickets in five games while playing for Wellington in the ongoing Super Smash. Her most recent performance was a 5 for 13 in the victory over Canterbury in Christchurch on Friday.
"Player well-being is paramount to us - it takes precedence over everything else. Sophie's had excellent support from the New Zealand Cricket Players Association and from our own high performance unit staff, and everyone agrees this is the best option available. Liz Green, NZC's head of women's high performance development," said Liz Green, NZC's head of women's high performance development
Devine has participated in ODI matches against India, played for the Perth Scorchers in the WBBL, and participated in the ODI series against Australia in late December since New Zealand won the T20 World Cup in October 2024. Devine was retained before the 2025 auction since she was a member of RCB's 2024 championship run. She got six wickets and scored 136 runs in 10 games during the 2024 season.
At the recently constructed BCA stadium in Vadodara, RCB will play the Gujarat Giants on February 15 to begin the 2025 season.
Charlie Dean replaces Sophie Molineux
Recently, England's spin-bowling all-rounder Charlie Dean was called up by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to replace injured Sophie Molineux in their 2025 Women's Premier League squad. Due to a knee injury that would require surgery, Australian left-arm spinner Molineux could not play in their home Ashes series against England as well. Dean has not yet made an appearance in the WPL yet. However, she has taken 46 wickets at an incredible average of 18.19 in 36 T20 Internationals for England.