- Ashleigh Gardner replaces Beth Mooney as Gujarat Giants' captain, bringing strong T20I experience.
- Team’s coach and business officer praised Gardner's leadership, confident she will lead the team to success.
Ashleigh Gardner has been appointed as the captain of Gujarat Giants for the upcoming Women's Premier League. The 27-year-old replaces Beth Mooney, who will focus on batting. WPL's third season begins on February 14, with Gujarat Giants playing Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the opener.
Ashleigh, who debuted for Australia in 2017, has an impressive record in 95 T20Is. Her off-spin bowling has scored over 1,400 runs and taken 78 wickets.
Ashleigh won the Belinda Clark Award and played a key role in Australia’s gold medal win at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. She was named Player of the Tournament at the 2023 T20 World Cup. Since joining Gujarat Giants, Gardner has contributed 324 runs and 17 wickets in the league.
Ashleigh expressed her excitement about being named captain of Gujarat Giants, saying, "It’s an absolute honour. I’ve loved being part of this team and am excited to lead in the upcoming season. We have a great mix of young and experienced players and plenty of Indian talent. I look forward to working with the team and making our fans proud."
Gujarat Giants head coach Michael Klinger praised Ashleigh Gardner's competitive spirit and leadership qualities, calling her the ideal choice to captain the team. "Her game awareness, tactical acumen, and ability to inspire make her perfect for the role. I’d like to thank Mooney for her valued leadership, and now she can focus on wicket-keeping and opening the batting," Klinger said, adding that Mooney remains a key leader in the group.
Gujarat Giants' Chief Business Officer, Sanjay Adesara, expressed confidence in Ashleigh's leadership. "She embodies the team's spirit with her dedication, skill, and leadership. Her appointment as captain reinforces our commitment to building a world-class team. We’re confident she will lead the team to a stellar performance in WPL," he said.
