Ahmedabad, Feb 5 (UNI) Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner has been appointed as the captain of Gujarat Giants for the upcoming Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 season, the franchise announced on Wednesday.
Gardner, a pivotal figure in Australian cricket, made her international debut in 2017 and has since established herself as a formidable all-rounder. A two-time Belinda Clark Award winner, she was instrumental in Australia's gold medal victory at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and was named Player of the Tournament at the 2023 ICC Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa.
Having been a part of Gujarat Giants since the inception of the WPL, Gardner has made significant contributions to the team, amassing 324 runs and claiming 17 wickets over the last two seasons.
Expressing her delight at the captaincy appointment, Gardner said, “It is an absolute honour to be named the captain of Gujarat Giants. I have loved being 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 I am looking forward to working with them to make our fans proud.”
Head coach Michael Klinger expressed confidence in Gardner’s leadership abilities, stating, “She is a fierce competitor with exceptional game awareness and tactical acumen. Her ability to inspire teammates makes her the ideal choice to captain Gujarat Giants. We believe she will lead from the front and guide the team towards a successful campaign.”
Gardner takes over the reins from fellow Australian Beth Mooney, who captained the side last season. Klinger acknowledged Mooney’s contributions, saying, “I would like to thank Beth for her valuable leadership. This will allow her to focus on her wicketkeeping and opening the batting. She continues to be a key leader in our squad.”
Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer of Adani Sportsline, hailed Gardner’s appointment, stating, “She embodies the spirit of Gujarat Giants with her dedication, skill, and leadership. Her captaincy reiterates our commitment to building a world-class team that competes at the highest level. We are confident that under her leadership, the team will put up a stellar performance in WPL 2025.”
Gujarat Giants, owned by Adani Sportsline, will look to make a strong impact in the upcoming season under Gardner’s leadership as they aim for their maiden WPL title.
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