WPL 2024: Best starting playing XI of Gujarat Giants (GG) after mini auction

Gujarat Giants (GG) disappointed their supporters with their horrendous performance in the 2023 Women’s Premier League (WPL). In the entire season, they won only two off their eight matches and ended up at the bottom of the points table. Their captain Beth Mooney picked up a calf injury while batting against Mumbai Indians (MI) in the inaugural game and exited the tournament.  

In Mooney’s absence, Sneh Rana led the team but failed to be effective as a skipper. Following the horrendous performance of the team, the GG team management axed non-performing players before the 2024 WPL auction. Gujarat have spent INR 3.50 crore at the business event in Mumbai and have formed an 18-member squad. 

Here is the best starting XI of Gujarat Giants after the 2024 WPL auction

1. Beth Mooney (C) & (WK)

Skipper Beth Mooney missed the previous WPL season after playing the maiden match against Mumbai. In 2024, she will make a comeback in the league and is expected to change the playing style of the team. The Australia batter looked in great touch in the 2023 Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), scoring 557 runs in 15 matches at a top-notch strike rate of 143.18. Noting her form, GG fans will be delighted to watch her in the 2024 WPL season.

2. Laura Wolvaardt

After Mooney’s injury, Laura Wovaardt was signed up by the franchise to fill the opening spot. The 24-year-old played four matches for the team and amassed 143 runs at a magnificent strike rate of 140.19. In the upcoming WPL edition, the South Africa batter might be seen opening the innings for the team along with Mooney. 

3. Trisha Poojitha

Gujarat Giants purchased uncapped player Trisha Poojitha for INR 10 lakh in the auction. The Hyderabad-based player might get the responsibility to strengthen GG’s top order, along with experienced Mooney and Wolvaardt.

4. Dayalan Hemalatha

Dayalan Hemalatha got eight games in the previous season and scored only 151 runs in eight matches at a fine strike rate of 157.29. The 29-year-old will look to showcase her best in the upcoming tournament to help Gujarat lift the coveted trophy. 

5. Ashleigh Gardner

Ashleigh Gardner played her role efficiently in the team. The Aussie racked up 204 runs and 10 wickets in eight matches. This time, the senior player will endeavour to deliver superb numbers to the team again. Recently, Gardner performed remarkably with the ball, picking up 21 wickets in 14 matches at an economy of 7.85.  

6. Harleen Deol

Harleen Deol did a decent job with the bat for GG in 2023. As an experienced player, she piled up 202 runs in eight games at a strike rate of 125.46. The 25-year-old has been active for India in Women’s T20 Internationals (WT20Is) since 2019 and the GG team management will expect her to utilise her experience and deliver match-winning knocks to the side.

7. Kashvee Gautam

Kashvee Gautam became the most expensive player of the 2024 WPL auction, with the Aussie all-rounder Annabel Sutherland. Giants fetched Gautam for INR 2 crore and now, the 20-year-old uncapped India all-rounder will have to justify her amount in the upcoming competition. 

8. Sneh Rana

Sneh Rana handled the captaincy mantle in Mooney’s absence but she couldn’t extract positive results. As a bowler, she took six wickets in eight matches at an economy of 8.58. GG fans will want Rana to forget the previous season and be impactful for the team in the 2024 WPL edition.

9. Lauren Cheatle

Australia’s left-arm pacer Lauren Cheatle grabbed a lot of eyeballs after getting sold to GG for INR 30 lakh. Cheatle’s impressive bowling display for Sydney Sixers in WBBL helped her get the WPL contract. Gujarat will heavily rely on her to get early breakthroughs in the T20 tournament coming ahead.

10. Tanuja Kanwar

Tanuja Kanwar’s duty will be to strengthen GG’s spin-bowling attack with her senior colleagues Sneh Rana and Ashleigh Gardner. She put up an ordinary bowling show in the previous season, scalping only five wickets in eight matches at an economy of 8.85. The youngster will also strive to deliver exceptional numbers in the upcoming season.

11. Shabnam Shakil

Shabnam Shakil might be given the task of assisting Lauren Cheatle in bolstering Gujarat’s fast-bowling unit. The speedster hasn’t played a single match after January 2023 but she might fit into Gujarat’s playing XI according to requirements.

Also check: Best starting playing XI of Mumbai Indian