Sophie Devine has long been one of the strongest voices in women’s cricket, and during the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026, Gujarat Giants all-rounder has once again sparked a wider conversation about the direction of the game. This time, the focus is not on individual performances but on playing conditions, particularly boundary sizes and fielding restrictions, which Devine believes deserve urgent review as the women’s game continues to evolve.
Speaking after a high scoring phase of the tournament, Devine acknowledged the growth in power hitting across women’s cricket but argued that the current rules have tilted the balance too heavily in favour of batters. According to her, the sport has reached a stage where bowlers and captains need greater tactical support.
“There needs to be a serious look at the four fielders out rule. We are pretty close to going in line with the men and having five fielders out on the boundary,” Devine said. She was clear that such a change would not stifle attacking cricket, adding, “We’ve all seen the power that the women’s game has got now and I don’t think having five fielders out would make a hindrance to the possibility and opportunities to score more runs.”
Under the current WPL regulations, teams are allowed only four fielders outside the inner circle beyond the powerplay overs. The rule was initially introduced to promote higher scoring and entertainment, but Devine believes the game has outgrown that need. With batters stronger, fitter, and more technically adept than ever, she feels that bowlers are increasingly exposed, especially on flat pitches that offer little assistance.
Boundary dimensions were another area of concern for the New Zealand captain. While acknowledging that shorter boundaries help bring crowds into the game, Devine warned that they can distort the contest when combined with batting-friendly surfaces. “The balance is distorted towards batters, especially when you’re playing on wickets that are so flat and offering not too much for the bowlers,” she said, underlining the importance of maintaining a fair contest between bat and ball.
Devine’s comments carry weight not just because of her experience but also because of her performances this season. She has been at the centre of several WPL thrillers, including a blistering innings in which she scored 95 off 42 balls, smashing seven fours and eight sixes to propel Gujarat Giants past the 200-run mark. That match showcased the explosive potential of modern women’s batting, but it also highlighted the challenges faced by bowlers trying to defend totals on small grounds.
At the same time, Devine has been on the receiving end of similar conditions. Gujarat Giants posted nearly 190 in another fixture, only to see the total chased down comfortably by a powerful batting line-up. Matches like these, she believes, underline the need for administrators to reassess whether current rules truly reflect the competitive maturity of the women’s game.
Beyond boundary sizes and fielding limits, Devine also shared her thoughts on evolving tactical elements such as the retired-out rule, which has generated debate this season as players like Harleen Deol and Ayushi Soni have been retired out for the benefit of the team. While the tactic has divided opinion, she defended its use when applied with clarity and communication. “At the end of the day, those decisions are always made with the team coming first and what’s going to be best for the team to be able to gain momentum,” she said. Devine also noted that she prefers such strategic flexibility over the impact player rule.
As women’s cricket continues its rapid rise, voices like Sophie Devine’s are shaping conversations beyond the boundary rope. Her call is not for less entertainment, but for smarter balance. With power hitting now firmly established, her message is simple and timely: the rules must evolve alongside the players if the contest is to remain compelling, competitive, and fair.
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