Ahmedabad, India – Ahead of the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction, Gujarat Giants have announced significant updates to their coaching team. Pravin Tambe has been named the new bowling coach, while former Australian cricketer Daniel Marsh takes over as batting coach. Michael Klinger, who joined the team last season, will continue in his role as head coach.
In an official statement, the Adani Sportsline-owned franchise stated that these changes aim to strengthen their squad and strategy for the upcoming WPL season.
New Appointments: Experienced Minds at the Helm
Daniel Marsh, a former South Australian and Tasmanian cricketer, brings a wealth of experience to the batting department. During his domestic career, Marsh scored over 11,000 runs across all formats, including 20 centuries. His coaching credentials include a stint as Head Coach of the Tasmania Men’s team (2013-2017) and an Assistant Coach role with the Australian Women’s Cricket Team in 2022.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Marsh said:
“I’m thrilled to join the Gujarat Giants and look forward to fostering a fearless batting approach. My aim is to make our batting lineup one of the strongest in the league.”
Pravin Tambe, celebrated for his remarkable IPL debut at the age of 41 with Rajasthan Royals, steps in as the team’s new bowling coach. Tambe has prior coaching experience with IPL franchises like Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow Super Giants. With 70 wickets in 64 T20 matches and best figures of 4/15, Tambe is eager to impart his expertise.
“Joining Gujarat Giants as the bowling coach is a new and exciting chapter in my cricketing journey. I’m looking forward to working with this talented group of players to refine their skills and achieve great results,” said Tambe.
Head Coach Michael Klinger Continues
Michael Klinger, who joined Gujarat Giants last season, retains his position as head coach. The former Australian cricketer, known for his extensive coaching experience, previously led the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash League and Sydney Thunder in the Women’s Big Bash League. He also coached the Manchester Originals Women’s team in The Hundred earlier this year.
Reflecting on the team’s progress, Klinger said:
“We laid a solid foundation last season, and I’m excited to build on it. Our focus remains on fostering a winning mindset and pushing the team’s limits. It’s rewarding to see several Gujarat Giants players representing India since the last WPL season, which will undoubtedly strengthen our squad.”
WPL 2025 Auction: Key Details
The WPL 2025 player auction is scheduled for December 15 in Bengaluru, featuring 120 players, including 91 Indians and 29 overseas cricketers. Teams will have 19 slots to fill, including five for overseas players.
Prominent players listed at the highest reserve price of ₹50 lakh include Deandra Dottin, Heather Knight, and Lizelle Lee. Among Indian players, Sneh Rana, Poonam Yadav, and Shubha Satheesh stand out.
Australia leads with 12 players in the auction, including Amanda-Jade Wellington, Alana King, Kim Garth, and Darcie Brown. England follows with eight representatives, including Sarah Glenn, Lauren Bell, and Sophia Dunkley.
Gujarat Giants Squad Updates
Retained Players: Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Bharti Fulmali, Dayalan Hemalatha, Harleen Deol, Kashvee Gautam, Laura Wolvaardt, Mannat Kashyap, Meghna Singh, Phoebe Litchfield, Priya Mishra, Sayali Satghare, Shabnam Shakil, and Tanuja Kanwer.
Released Players: Kathryn Bryce, Lauren Cheatle, Lea Tahuhu, Sneh Rana, Tarannum Pathan, Trisha Poojitha, and Veda Krishnamurthy.
Gujarat Giants: Aiming for a Turnaround
Having finished at the bottom of the table in both previous WPL seasons with just two wins each time, Gujarat Giants are determined to bounce back. With strategic appointments in their coaching staff and a promising core group of players, the team is gearing up for a fresh start in the upcoming season.
The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, led by Smriti Mandhana, will look to retain their title, setting the stage for an exciting season of WPL cricket.
