The Gujarat Giants are thrilled to announce that Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner will captain the team in the upcoming third season of the Women’s Premier League. Gardner replaces Beth Mooney, who did a fantastic job leading the side last season. We believe Gardner’s exceptional talent and leadership will guide us to new heights and help secure our first-ever title.
Gardner is widely recognized as one of the best players in women's cricket. She is currently ranked the number one all-rounder and the second-best bowler in the world. Her incredible performances have consistently proven her value on the field. In the 2017 Women’s Big Bash League, she stunned everyone by scoring 114 runs off just 52 balls for Sydney Sixers.
She was instrumental in Australia’s gold medal win at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, taking three wickets in the final against India. Gardner's brilliance was further highlighted in the 2023 T20 World Cup, where she earned the Player of the Tournament award. Her unforgettable 2023 Ashes performance saw her take 12 wickets for 165 runs in a Test match. She has also won the prestigious Belinda Clark Award twice.
Gardner’s numbers in the Women’s Premier League are impressive, with 324 runs and 16 wickets in 16 matches. Her international career stats are equally remarkable, with 325 runs and 28 wickets in 7 Tests. In T20Is, she has scored 1411 runs and taken 78 wickets, while in ODIs, she has 1270 runs and 101 wickets from 77 matches. On top of being a powerful batter and a smart bowler, Gardner is also an outstanding fielder.
Off the field, Gardner is a passionate advocate for First Nations people and culture. In 2020, she established the Ashleigh Gardner Foundation, which helps provide nutritious meals to Aboriginal children, giving them a healthy start to their school day.
We are confident that Ashleigh Gardner will be a fantastic captain for the Gujarat Giants. With her leadership and determination, we are optimistic about winning our first title and achieving great success in the upcoming season.
