The much-awaited Women’s Premier League is set to begin from Saturday, March 4. All the teams have started preparing to give their best on the field. On Wednesday, Gujarat Giants posted a video on their Twitter handle where former India cricketer Mithali Raj was spotted dancing on the popular Sri Lankan song ‘Manike Mage Hithe’. Raj is giving her services to the franchise as the mentor.
In the video, Mithali has been joined by Indian pacer Hurley Gala and Shabnam Shakil. After the video went viral, fans were disappointed over the fact that Mithali will not be playing cricket anymore.
Earlier, Gujarat Giants, Monday, announced ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023 winner Beth Mooney as their captain for inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL 2023), ESPNCricinfo reported. Mooney leading the Giants in WPL 2023 also marks her reunion with ex-Aussie star Rachael Haynes, the head coach of franchise Gujarat Giants. Also, India's star all-rounder Sneh Rana has been selected as the vice-captain.
Mooney, first player in history to score two fifties in T20 World Cup finals, for the first time in her career will be leading a franchise as a full-time captain in an overseas T20 tournament. Beth Mooney's match-winning unbeaten inning of 74 helped Australia continue their enviable dominance in Women's cricket as they defeated South Africa by 19 runs to win Women's T20 World Cup for a record-extending sixth time.
"I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead the Adani Gujarat Giants in the historic Women's Premier League's inaugural edition in 2023," said Beth Mooney in a statement.
Gujarat Giants Squad: Beth Mooney (Captain), Sneh Rana (Vice-Captain), Ashleigh Gardner, Sophia Dunkley, Annabel Sutherland, Harleen Deol, Deandra Dottin, S Meghana, Georgia Wareham, Mansi Joshi, Dayalan Hemalatha, Monica Patel, Tanuja Kanwer, Sushma Verma, Hurley Gala, Ashwani Kumari, Parunika Sisodia, Shabman Shakil.