Gujarat Giants is synonymous with slow starts to its WPL campaigns – both in 2023 and 2024. It suffered defeats at the hands of Mumbai Indians in its opening game and took a few matches to score its first points.
Last season, the poor start extended into the entirety of the first leg in Bengaluru where it lost all four games comprehensively. It took a venue change, as the competition headed to the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi for the second leg, for the side to finally open its account. But, with only two victories from eight games, a last-place finish was a fate it couldn’t escape.
Starting on the right foot is the need of the hour for the Giants. And to their relief, a major part of the batting line-up has enjoyed a brilliant start to the year. Beth Mooney, Laura Wolvaardt, Phoebe Litchfield and newly appointed skipper Ashleigh Gardner are riding on great form in T20Is and will hope to continue their purple patch into the T20 tournament.
Wolvaardt was a dominant presence in WT20Is, smashing 673 runs to claim the fourth spot in the overall run-scorers list for 2024. In the Women’s Big Bash League, Gardner shone with the ball while Mooney and Litchfield finished third and fourth among the tournament’s top-scorers.
An important task for the Giants will be fixing its opening pair to ensure strong starts, which cost them majorly last time around. In 2024, Mooney, who ended as the team’s top scorer (285 runs), couldn’t forge strong opening partnerships – the only two fifty-plus stands she shared with Wolvaardt laid the foundation for its two wins.
Another major drawback for the Giants is its heavy dependence on overseas players. The team confirmed Mooney will continue as the opener and wicketkeeper, meaning she and Gardner will surely feature among the four foreigners allowed in the playing XI.
Deandra Dottin, the West Indies all-rounder, brings her power-hitting ability in the middle order and pace-bowling option to the table which may aid the Giants. While Litchfield can open the innings with Mooney, Wolvaardt and new entrant Danielle Gibson are handy all-rounders. So, figuring out who fills the remaining two spots will be tricky.
But, Gujarat can also experiment with its arsenal of young Indian players who will be raring to go. Shabnam Shakil returns after playing a crucial role in India’s U-19 Women’s World Cup title defence. After making significant improvements in her length and control, she could be capable of making breakthroughs with the new ball.
RELATED | Vadodara set for Women’s Premier League debut as Bengaluru takes on Gujarat in season opener
Gujarat also broke the bank for Simran Shaikh, the youngster who excelled on the domestic circuit, especially during the T20 Challenger trophy. Interestingly, she is the second-most expensive uncapped player to be bought after Kashvee Gautham, another young Indian talent whose much-awaited debut was marred by injury.
A couple of youngsters will have the added confidence boost after donning the national colours – spinner Priya Mishra, leading wicket-taker in the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy (23 wickets) and pacer Sayali Satghare. The 27-year-old Tanuja Kanwer also made her international debut and had a decent WPL outing in 2024 (10 wickets in eight games).
The 18-member squad will continue to be coached by Michael Klinger, who joined the side last season. Pravin Tambe and Daniel Marsh were roped in as the bowling and batting coach, respectively after Mithali Raj and Nooshin Al Khadeer announced their exit ahead of the season.
Gujarat Giants skipper Beth Mooney in action during a Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 match between Gujarat Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
| Photo Credit:
SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR/ The Hindu
Gujarat Giants skipper Beth Mooney in action during a Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 match between Gujarat Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
| Photo Credit:
SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR/ The Hindu
An important task for the team and experience-rich staff will be to figure out the balance of the team within the first few games. While there is ample strength in the top order, the Giants will need to address the misfiring middle order. The lack of contributions lower down the line-up has been an issue for the team and has to be worked upon before time runs out.
Playing the tournament opener against defending champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Giants will hope to be third time lucky in passing the first game obstacle. With the first six games set to be held in Vadodara, the Giants will look to make full use of their home advantage and give the fans something to cheer for.
While a shot at the title is the ultimate, finding its way out of the bottom of the pile will be a priority.