Gujarat Giants bought a frustratingly elaborate course in Murphy’s Law within the inaugural version of the Women’s Premier League. The season bought o to a horrendous begin with a 143-run drubbing by the hands of Mumbai Indians.
The sport additionally noticed skipper Beth Mooney maintain a knee damage after dealing with simply three balls, a setback that ultimately dominated her out of the season. Sneh Rana stepped in because the captain however couldn’t arrest Giants’ slide.
A final-place end triggered a slew of modifications. Eleven out of 19 gamers had been launched forward of the public sale. The workforce additionally roped in former Australian cricketer Michael Klinger as head coach.
In the public sale, Giants broke the financial institution to rope in uncapped Indian all-rounder Kashvee Gautam for a hefty ₹2 crore sum. An damage dominated out the 20-year-old days earlier than the second version will get underway in Bengaluru. Australian pacer Lauren Cheatle additionally needed to withdraw after present process a process for pores and skin most cancers.
SWOT
Strengths: A great batting addition in Phoebe Litchfield, a very good crop of home gamers
Weaknesses: The Gujarat bench appears a bit of lean by way of established gamers, the bowling lineup, closely depending on Ashleigh Gardner, is in any other case inexperienced.
Opportunity: Veda Krishnamurthy has a chance to repay the religion the franchise has proven in her. The workforce wants a strong finisher and if she will step up persistently, the Giants will breathe straightforward.
Threat: In Phoebe Litchfield and Ashleigh Gardner, Giants have two potent match-winners. Their success shall be key to that of the workforce’s.
Not all is misplaced. Skipper Mooney’s return and the addition of Phoebe Litchfield to accompany seasoned South African Laura Wolvaardt is nice news for the Giants batting line-up. Harleen Deol, D. Hemalatha and Veda Krishnamurthy’s expertise and type additionally bode nicely for the facet.
Kiwi pacer Lea Tahuhu has changed Cheatle and brings a wealth of expertise to the facet. Her Australian teammate Ashleigh Gardner was a significant a part of this facet, ending with the second-most wickets for the workforce (eight). Giants will want her to contribute with the bat too.
The number of Scotland’s Kathryn Bryce permits Giants to area 5 overseas gamers. The huge problem shall be to zero in on the fitting enjoying mixture which must hit the bottom working.
Overseas participant to be careful for
Roped in by Giants for ₹1 crore, Phoebe Litchfield, the 20-year-old Australian batter justified the worth with a stellar run towards India within the multi-format sequence over the flip of the yr. With textbook pictures and the flexibility to attain at a brisk fee, Litchfield has additionally taken to Indian circumstances like a fish to water.
Indian participant to be careful for
Sneh Rana is our choose of the Giants’ pack. Her allround talents and calm temperament make her an important addition to any workforce. She has proven her disaster administration expertise when requested to step up as captain final season. With the workforce addressing a few of its shortcomings from final season, Sneh may need the house to let her cricket do the speaking this time round.
SQUADS
Beth Mooney (Capt.), Ashleigh Gardner, D. Hemalatha, Harleen Deol, Laura Wolvaardt, M.D. Shabnam, Sneh Rana, Tanuja Kanwar, Phoebe Litchfield, Meghna Singh, Trisha Poojitha, Sayali Satghare, Priya Mishra, Kathryn Bryce, Mannat Kashyap, Veda Krishnamurthy, Tarannum Pathan, Lea Tahuhu.
FIXTURES
February 25: vs Mumbai Indians (Bengaluru)
February 27: Royal Challengers Bangalore(Bengaluru)
March 1: UP Warriorz(Bengaluru)
March 3: Delhi Capitals (Bengaluru)
March 6: Royal Challengers Bangalore (New Delhi)
March 9: Mumbai Indians(New Delhi)
March 11: UP Warriorz (New Delhi)
March 13: Delhi Capitals (New Delhi)
Source web site: sportstar.thehindu.com
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