The Gujarat Giants had heart-breaking campaigns in the first couple of editions in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) since its inception in the year 2023.
The Giants haven’t had that consistency in terms of captaincy as an injury to regular skipper Beth Mooney in the tournament’s historic curtain raiser against the eventual champions Mumbai Indians ruled her out from the inaugural edition.
Sneh Rana who took over the leadership role in her absence couldn’t inspire her side to move on from the disappointment of losing their skipper in the first game, which also ended up reflecting in their performances in the entire season, finishing at the bottom of the points table, with just a couple of victories under their belt against Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the inaugural edition.
The story was more, and the same once Beth Mooney returned to lead the side in the 2nd edition of the tournament in 2024. A disappointing show led to another change in leadership as the veteran 27-year-old Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner took over the reins from Beth Mooney as the new skipper of the franchise ahead of the upcoming new season in 2025.
It’s only going to be an upward rise for the Gujarat Giants from here on as they have formed a strong squad for the upcoming edition, with one of the highlights being the return of Deandra Dottin.
Gujarat Giants are gearing up to make a statement in the third season of the WPL, promising an “aggressive approach” as they prepare to debut on their home turf at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. All eyes will be on the Giants as they kick off their home campaign against the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, on Friday, February 14th from 7:30 PM IST.
“We get to play in front of our home fans for the first time, which is exciting. I feel like we’ve built a really strong base with our fans, and hopefully, we can start the season the way we really want to, especially here at home, playing in front of our fans,” the newly appointed skipper Ashleigh Gardner expressed her eagerness to play and perform in front of the home crowd as they also gear themselves up for their home debut this season.
The head coach Michael Klinger hopes to see a sea of orange in the stands, with fans from all over Gujarat flocking to support the team. Gardner also echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the strong connection the team has built with its fans and their desire to start the season on a high note at home. The Giants are scheduled to play UP Warriorz on February 16th and Mumbai Indians on February 18th, making this home stretch a crucial one for setting the tone for their season.
Klinger also shared his thoughts on the conditions at the BCA Stadium, stating that it looks fantastic and is expected to be a batting-friendly wicket. He hopes that the pitch will facilitate a high-scoring game, with the majority of runs coming from the Giants’ bats, making for an exciting experience for the fans.
Gardner, brimming with confidence, believes that the team has the potential to play competitive and thrilling cricket. Klinger, on the other hand, revealed that the team will adopt an aggressive approach throughout the tournament. “I think you can expect some attacking cricket. I feel we have the squad now, with the batting depth and firepower, to play really aggressively,” the Gujarat Giants Head Coach, Michael Klinger, gave insights on the kind of approach the Giants unit will adopt in the upcoming edition of the WPL.
It’s not all about aggression, the team aims to showcase enthusiasm and energy, particularly in their fielding. Klinger emphasized that exceptional fielding is non-negotiable for the Giants. With a blend of optimism, strategic planning, and a desire to entertain, the Gujarat Giants are poised to make a significant impact in WPL 2025, starting with a memorable home debut in Vadodara.
(Quotes sourced from Gujarat Giants Press Release)
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