Follow UsDespite scoring over 200 in their first game of Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025, the Gujarat Giants (GG) could not get over the line against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). However, in their second game against the UP Warriorz (UPW), GG head coach Michael Klinger believes that they learnt their lesson from the loss to get themselves off the mark.
“I thought that game one was played very well, but we just had some learnings, in particular in our bowling and fielding. They took those learnings into this game, and I thought we bowled brilliantly and to our plans,” Klinger said during the post-match press conference.
“Players will always make mistakes now and then, and that’s fine. It’s more the attitude and energy that they showed in the field that was pleasing to see from a coach’s side of things.”
GG skipper Ash Gardner has started to tournament off well. She hit her second fifty in as many matches against UPW and also picked up a couple of wickets in the game.
Klinger lauds Gardner's performance as captain in the tournament so far. “She’s had a great start. She is captaining really well, too, and making really good bowling changes and field positioning. Her batting in the first two games has been fantastic," he said.
“I’m just asking her to enjoy yourself, have fun and play some nice cricket. And she’s doing that and much more."
After missing the first two seasons of the WPL, GG can now finally rely on Deandra Dottin to play a vital role. She has been excellent with the bat in both the matches so far, playing impactful knocks with the bat and impressive display with the ball against UPW
Pleased with the acquisition, Klinger says that is the very reason the franchise were keen to get her. “That’s why we got her. I thought that wicket she got in the Powerplay was really important for us; they just started getting away a little bit," Klinger said.
“She’s experienced in bowling at the death, which is probably something we don’t have so far in our starting 11,” Klinger said, adding that the bowling group did well to keep the opposition to 140 on a nice wicket and a slightly wet outfield."
The Giants will play their final game in Vadodara when they take on Mumbai Indians in their next game on February 18 (Tuesday).