NEW DELHI: Gujarat Giants have named Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner as their new captain for the upcoming Women’s Premier League. The 27-year-old takes over from Beth Mooney, who will now concentrate solely on her batting responsibilities.
The WPL‘s third season kicks off on February 14, with Gujarat Giants facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opener.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Gardner, who made her Australia debut in 2017, has impressive credentials with 95 T20Is under her belt. She has accumulated over 1400 runs and claimed 78 wickets with her off-spin bowling.
Her achievements include winning the prestigious Belinda Clark Award in Australian women’s cricket. She played a crucial role in Australia’s gold medal victory at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and earned the Player of the Tournament title at the 2023 T20 World Cup in South Africa.
Since joining Gujarat Giants at the league’s inception, Gardner has contributed significantly with 324 runs and 17 wickets.
“It is an absolute honour for me to be named the captain of Gujarat Giants. I have loved being a part of this team and I am excited to lead this fantastic group in the upcoming season. We have a great mix of young and experienced players and plenty of Indian talent in our squad. I am looking forward to working with the team and making our fans proud,” Gardner said after her appointment as skipper.
Gujarat Giants head coach Michael Klinger praised Gardner’s competitive spirit and leadership qualities.
“She is a fierce competitor. Her game awareness, tactical acumen, and ability to inspire players make her the ideal choice to captain Gujarat Giants. We believe she will lead from the front and guide the team towards a successful campaign. I would like to thank Mooney for her highly valued leadership. Now, she will be able to focus on wicket-keeping and opening the batting lineup. She continues to be a major leader of our group,”Klinger said.
The franchise’s Chief Business Officer, Sanjay Adesara, expressed confidence in Gardner’s leadership.
“Gardner embodies the spirit of Gujarat Giants with her dedication, skill, and leadership. Her appointment as captain reiterates our commitment to building a world-class team that competes at the highest level. We are confident that under her captaincy, the team will put up a stellar performance in WPL,” he said.
