Australia all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner has been appointed as the new captain of Gujarat Giants for WPL 2025, taking over from fellow Australian Beth Mooney, who led the team for two seasons. The move was made to allow Mooney, the team’s designated wicketkeeper and opener, to focus on her primary roles.
“It is an absolute honor for me to be named the captain of Gujarat Giants,” Gardner said in a team statement. “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, along with plenty of Indian talent in our squad. I look forward to working with the team and making our fans proud.”
Gardner has been a key figure for Australia across all formats, showcasing her all-round prowess. In the recent Women’s Ashes, she picked up five wickets, including a four-wicket haul in the pink-ball Test at the MCG, and scored her maiden ODI century in the third ODI of the series. Although she missed the T20I leg due to a calf strain, she made an impact in WBBL 2024, finishing with 16 wickets for Sydney Sixers.
Gujarat Giants head coach Michael Klinger praised Gardner’s 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 toward a successful campaign,”
Klinger said.
Gardner, who has been with the Giants since the inaugural WPL season, was also the team’s vice-captain for most of WPL 2023 after Mooney suffered a calf injury in the opening game. The change in captaincy allows Mooney, currently the No. 1-ranked T20I batter, to focus solely on her batting and wicketkeeping duties.
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“I would like to thank Mooney for her highly valued leadership,” Klinger added. “Now, she will be able to concentrate on wicketkeeping and opening the batting. She remains a key leader within our squad.”
Ahead of WPL 2025, the Giants also revamped their support staff. Assistant coach Nooshin Al Khadeer and mentor Mithali Raj have parted ways with the franchise. In their place, Australia assistant coach Daniel Marsh has joined as the batting coach, while IPL team Lucknow Super Giants’ spin-bowling coach Pravin Tambe will take charge of the bowling department.
