On February 13, the player auction for the inaugural season of the Women’s Premier League came to a close, providing fans with an enthralling display of talent. Among the franchises that participated in the auction was Gujarat Giants, a newcomer to the dynamics of player acquisitions. However, the team was adept at creating a formidable squad with shrewd strategies.
During the auction, the Gujarat franchise made a significant move by acquiring Ashleigh Gardner, the joint-most expensive overseas player at the WPL 2023 auction, for INR 3.2 crore. With a deep roster, the team is poised to give its competitors a fierce competition in the high-profile event.
Let’s explore five players in the Gujarat Giants team who are worth keeping an eye on.
Number 1. Beth Mooney
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Beth Mooney has established herself as a dependable player in international cricket, having featured in 57 ODIs, scoring 1941 runs at an impressive average of 52.45. The 29-year-old has also been prolific in the shortest format, amassing 2146 runs in 79 T20Is at a strike rate of 124.91.
Mooney is known for her aggressive batting and has consistently provided her team with explosive starts. In addition to her batting prowess, she is a safe wicketkeeper and has filled in for Australia when Alyssa Healy was unavailable.
Following her outstanding performance in the ODI series against Australia, where she scored 191 runs in three games, Gujarat Giants aggressively pursued her in the auction and secured her services for INR 2 crore.
Number 2. Deandra Dottin
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Deandra Dottin is an exceptional batter who can decimate bowling attacks at will. In addition, she is a cunning bowler who can provide her team with crucial breakthroughs. The 31-year-old has amassed 2697 runs and taken 62 wickets at an economy rate of 6.42 in 127 T20Is.
Dottin was in sensational form during the Women’s Big Bash League 2022, smashing 362 runs and capturing 14 wickets at an economy rate of 7.53 in 16 matches. With her ability to be a game-changer with both bat and ball, Gujarat Giants successfully secured her services for INR 60 lakh during the auction.
Number 3. Ashleigh Gardner
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Ashleigh Gardner has made an impact in the international cricket scene ever since her debut. The 25-year-old has consistently dominated opposing bowling line-ups and has asserted her presence in the sport. Furthermore, Gardner has also been a reliable wicket-taker for Australia.
In 69 T20Is, the Sydney-born player has amassed 1088 runs at a strike rate of 133.62 and taken 49 wickets at an economy of 6.17. With her exceptional all-round abilities, the Gujarat franchise went all out to secure her services, making her the joint-most expensive overseas player at INR 3.2 crore.
Number 4. Sushma Verma
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Sushma Verma is widely considered as one of the best wicketkeepers to have represented the Indian cricket team. Her lightning-quick reflexes behind the stumps and excellent glove work make her a formidable force. Verma played a pivotal role in India’s campaign at the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup, where they finished as runners-up. Given her skill set, the Gujarat franchise went all out to secure her services at the auction and finally acquired her for INR 60 lakh.
Number 5. Mansi Joshi
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Mansi Joshi showcased her potential on her international debut in 2016 and has been a standout performer in the 50-over format. Her ability to pick up early wickets made her a valuable asset for the Indian team. The 29-year-old has featured in 14 ODIs and has 16 wickets to her name at an impressive economy rate of 3.97.
Given her capabilities, Mansi is expected to make a mark in the upcoming WPL 2023. Consequently, the Gujarat franchise acquired her services for INR 30 lakh in the auction.
