The atmosphere within the team is very positive, said Sneh Rana
Bengaluru, 24 February, 2024: The WPL’s second season has commenced, and one of the most loved teams, the Adani Sportsline owned Gujarat Giants, are all set to open their campaign against the defending champions, Mumbai Indians. Captained by the Australian run-machine Beth Mooney, the Gujarat Giants are keen to make quite the splash this year, and are raring to go.
Ahead of the first game, Head Coach Michael Klinger, Mentor and Advisor Mithali Raj, Captain Mooney and vice-captain Sneh Rana spoke at length about the preparations for the season, and said that the team in orange have their plans in place.
“There’s a really excellent sort of vibe among the group. The groups been together for a little while now and worked through some things across the last week, which has come to fruition. So, there’s a keen sense of anticipation for the first game. And I know the 11 that take the field tomorrow night, will take full advantage of that and put their best foot forward,” said Beth Mooney.
Echoing the thoughts of her skipper, Indian all-rounder Sneh Rana, who had led the Gujarat Giants last year when Mooney had picked up an injury, said that the team is in a good place.
“We as a squad have had a good experience with the team so far and the Adani Sportsline team has ensured the players have all the support they might need at any time. The atmosphere within the team is very positive, and we have all gelled quite well, and we are hoping for a good start to the tournament,” Sneh Rana said.
In its second season, the WPL took the step of moving away from Mumbai and to Bengaluru and New Delhi. Reacting to that, the Indian all-rounder also added, “It is very good that the WPL is happening in different cities this time as well, we have fans across the country, so it is good for the people.”
Mithali added, “If WPL moves to every city, it also gives the franchise a chance to develop a new audience, who can come and watch the Gujarat Giants play. And in that way, it will only improve the overall profile of the tournament, and the franchises.”
The former Indian captain also touched upon her role, and said she was enjoying working with the Adani Sportsline owned Gujarat Giants, at a platform as big as the WPL. She said, “I have been really enjoying this role as a mentor, working with the young players, sharing my knowledge with them, helping them stay in a good space and perform their roles to the best of their ability.”
Whilst the seniors are ready for battle in the WPL, the Adani Sportsline team is also doing their bit to help grow women’s cricket in Gujarat. Opening up on the initiative and the response to women’s cricket since the advent of the WPL last year, Sanjay Adesara, CBO, Adani Sportsline, said, “From the point of view of a franchise in WPL, we have enjoyed the ups and downs, the journey so far, and since Season 1, we have noticed the increase in interest in women’s cricket in our academies in Ahmedabad. And we are quite sure that the golden era of women’s cricket in India is yet to come, and we are keen to contribute to this movement in whichever way we can.”
