WPL 2023: A look at Gujarat Giants squad
Gujarat Giants have stacked up a decent squad for the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL) 2023, starting March 4. The in-form Beth Mooney will lead the team and the veteran Aussie batter is expected to do well. The Ahmedabad-based franchise will also enjoy the services of Ashleigh Gardner, Sophia Dunkley, and Sneh Rana. Here we decode Gujarat Giants' squad ahead of the competition.
A look at Gujarat Giants squad
GG's squad tally comprises 12 Indian and six overseas players. Deandra Dottin has been ruled out of the competition. Kim Garth was named her replacement. Squad: Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney (Captain), Sophia Dunkley, Annabel Sutherland, Harleen Deol, Kim Garth, Sneh Rana, S Meghana, Georgia Wareham, Mansi Joshi, D Hemalatha, Monica Patel, Tanuja Kanwar, Sushma Verma, Hurley Gala, Ashwani Kumari, Parunika Sisodia, and Shabnim Shakil.
Here are the key signings
Alongside England all-rounder Natalie Sciver-Brunt, Ashleigh Gardner was the joint-most foreign buy at the auction. She pocketed Rs. 3.2 crore. Gujarat also broke the bank for Beth Mooney (Rs. 2 crore). Bowling all-rounder Sneh Rana also bagged a lucrative deal worth Rs. 75 lakh. Australia's Georgia Wareham was also bought for a sum of Rs. 75 lakh.
Here are the key batters
One of the most prolific all-rounders going around, Gardner has smoked 1,176 runs in 73 WT20Is at 28 (SR: 132.43). With 206 runs in six games at 51.50, Mooney was the third-highest run-getter in the recently-concluded ICC Women's T20 World Cup in Australia. Sophia Dunkley owns 652 runs in 44 WT20I appearances at 24.14. Kim Garth boasts 762 runs in 54 WT20Is at 23.09.
Here are the key bowlers
Gardener, a right-arm off-spinner, has also scalped 53 wickets at an economy rate of 6.27. India's Sneh Rana is a holder of 24 WT20I wickets in appearances with her economy rate being 6.21. Garth, who bowls right-arm pace, also boasts 43 wickets (ER: 5.92). Georgia Wareham has 42 wickets under her belt in 40 WT20Is. Her economy rate reads 5.95.
WPL 2023: A look at the key details
The high-voltage WPL will see a total of 20 league matches being played across 23 days. GG will kick-start their campaign against Mumbai Indians in the season opener. There will be two playoff matches - the Eliminator (on March 24) and the final (on March 26). Two venues in Mumbai (DY Patil Stadium and Cricket Club of India) will host 12 matches each.
