Ashleigh Gardner Named Gujarat Giants Captain For WPL 2025

On Wednesday, Australia all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner was named captain of the Gujarat Giants for the Women's Premier League, which begins later this month. The 27-year-old replaced another Australian legend, Beth Mooney, who will now concentrate solely on her batting.

The third edition of the competition kicks off on February 14 with Gujarat Giants taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore. Gujarat Giants have finished fifth and last in the two WPL seasons since its start in 2023.

Gardner already a veteran of the game

Gardner, a vital member of the Australian team, made her T20I debut in 2017 and has since played 95 matches, hitting over 1400 runs and capturing 78 wickets with her off-spin.

The winner of the Belinda Clark Award, a prominent accolade in Australian women's cricket, played an important role in her country's gold-winning performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and was named 'Player of the Tournament' during the T20 World Cup in South Africa in 2023.

Absolute honor- Ashleigh Gardner on becoming Gujarat Giants captain

Gardner has been a vital cog for Australia across formats, chipping in with her all-round credentials.

"It is an absolute honor 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 in a GG press release.

A proven match-winner and a fearless competitor will now lead the #Giant pack! 💪🧡

Welcome, Captain Ashleigh Gardner who is ready to take charge in #TATAWPL2025! 😍#GujaratGiants #BringItOn #Adani pic.twitter.com/iK9Bu7ipa6

— Gujarat Giants (@Giant_Cricket) February 5, 2025

An integral part of the Gujarat Giants since the commencement of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Gardner has scored 324 runs and bagged 17 wickets.

"She is a fierce competitor,"- GG head coach Michael Klinger

Gardner has been with the Giants since the first season, and the decision to promote her to skipper was made to free up Mooney, who is also the designated wicketkeeper and opening batter for them. Gardner also served as the Giants' vice-captain for the majority of the first season when Mooney suffered a calf injury one game into the WPL 2023.

"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," said Klinger, head coach of Gujarat Giants.

Gardner is the No. 1-ranked allrounder in ICC's ODI rankings while Mooney is the leading T20I batter.

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