JYNEWS, Ashleigh Gardner : The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 kicked off with a seismic shift as Ashleigh Gardner led Gujarat Giants into battle against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). In a dramatic leadership overhaul, Gardner replaced Beth Mooney as captain, signaling a bold new era for the Giants. Here’s an in-depth look at Gardner’s explosive debut, her tactical brilliance, and why this season could redefine her legacy.
On February 14, 2025, Gardner stepped onto the field at Vadodara’s Kotambi Stadium as Gujarat Giants’ new skipper. Facing Smriti Mandhana’s RCB—the reigning champions—the pressure was immense. The Giants, who finished last in WPL 2023 and 2024, needed a revival, and Gardner’s appointment was a gamble that paid off instantly.
: Gardner elected to bowl first, backing her bowling attack on a pitch favoring seamers.
: RCB posted 162/6 thanks to Ellyse Perry’s 48* (33 balls) and Richa Ghosh’s fiery 34 (18 balls).
: Deployed teen sensation Simran Shaikh (1/22) and veteran Meghna Singh (2/29) to dismantle RCB’s middle order.
: Gardner (57* off 39 balls) anchored the innings, partnering with Laura Wolvaardt (44 off 30) to seal a 7-wicket win with 5 balls to spare.
The victory marked Gujarat’s first-ever win against RCB in WPL history, with Gardner becoming the first captain to defeat the defending champions in an opener.
Gardner’s appointment as captain raised eyebrows, given her predecessor Beth Mooney’s pedigree. But the Giants’ management doubled down on her all-round prowess and leadership credentials:
: Gardner is a two-time Belinda Clark Award winner, T20 World Cup 2023 MVP, and Commonwealth Games gold medalist.
: 324 runs and 17 wickets across two seasons for Gujarat.
: Coach Michael Klinger praised her “game awareness and ability to inspire,” evident in her bold field placements and bowling changes.
Mooney, now freed from captaincy, opened the batting and scored 29 off 20 balls, proving her value as a specialist batter.
Gardner’s performance in the opener showcased her ability to balance leadership with individual brilliance:
: Her unbeaten 57* included 7 fours and 2 sixes, targeting RCB’s weak spin links.
: Though wicketless, her 4 overs of off-spin stifled RCB to 6.5 runs per over.
: A direct-hit run-out of Sabbhineni Meghana shifted momentum early.
Her calm under pressure mirrored her heroics in the Ashes 2024, where she scored a maiden ODI century and claimed 9 wickets.
The Giants’ WPL 2025 squad blends youth and experience, with Gardner at the helm:
: South African opener, whose 44 off 30 set the chase alight.
: ₹1.9 crore rookie leg-spinner, touted as the “next Poonam Yadav.”
: Power-hitter and death-over specialist.
: Over-reliance on Gardner and Shaikh; domestic pacers like Kashvee Gautam remain untested.
: Dayalan Hemalatha and Harleen Deol need consistency.
: Why was Beth Mooney stripped of captaincy?
A: To optimize her role as a batter and keeper. Mooney’s WPL strike rate of 125.4 as opener is vital, and freeing her from leadership allows focus on aggressive starts.
: Can Gardner replicate her international form in WPL 2025?
A: Absolutely. Her 57* in the opener proves she thrives under pressure. With 190 runs and 9 wickets in the recent Ashes, she’s in peak form.
: What’s Gujarat Giants’ biggest threat this season?
A: Bowling inexperience. If Shaikh or Gardner have an off day, the pace attack (Meghna Singh, Tanuja Kanwar) lacks firepower to defend totals.
: Is Simran Shaikh the next big thing?
A: The 16-year-old’s 1/22 vs RCB hints at potential. Her journey from Mumbai’s Dharavi slums to WPL stardom is already inspiring a generation.
: How does Gardner compare to Smriti Mandhana?
A: Gardner is more aggressive (T20I strike rate: 132.5 vs Mandhana’s 125.7) and offers bowling depth. Mandhana, however, has superior captaincy experience.
Gardner’s leadership has injected hope, but consistency is key. Upcoming matches against Mumbai Indians (Feb 18) and UP Warriorz (Feb 16) will test their mettle. With Mooney, Wolvaardt, and Gardner forming a lethal top order, playoffs are within reach if the bowling steps up.
Ashleigh Gardner’s captaincy debut wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. By toppling RCB, she’s shattered Gujarat’s underdog tag and redefined her legacy. Whether she can sustain this momentum remains to be seen, but one thing’s clear: WPL 2025 is Gardner’s stage, and the world is watching.