Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], February 6: The Gujarat Giants are all set to make their home debut in the upcoming third season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), with the team preparing for an exciting campaign at a new venue in Vadodara. In a press event held on Thursday in Ahmedabad, the team unveiled their official jersey and discussed their ambitions for the season ahead. The event was attended by Head Coach Michael Klinger, players Harleen Deol and Shabnam Shakil, and Adani Sportsline’s Chief Business Officer, Sanjay Adesara.
WPL 2025 is scheduled to begin on February 14, and matches will be played across multiple venues, including Vadodara, Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Mumbai. The Gujarat Giants are set to kick off their campaign with a high-stakes opener against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara.
Addressing the media, Head Coach Michael Klinger spoke confidently about the team’s goals for the season, stating, “We are certainly here to compete really hard. We are looking forward to playing some really strong cricket and hopefully qualify for the finals. That is going to be our aim this season. I feel we have got the team to do it.” Klinger also highlighted the importance of experience gained by the players in the previous season and expressed pride in the team’s development, particularly mentioning that six players had featured in the A-team, gaining valuable exposure to top-level cricket.
Harleen Deol, the talented India all-rounder who missed the previous season due to injury, expressed her excitement at returning to the team. Reflecting on her fond memories of Vadodara, where she scored her maiden century, she said, “I have a lovely memory of scoring my maiden ton in Vadodara, but in cricket, you have to start from zero every day.” Deol is eager to make her mark this season and contribute to the team’s success.
Shabnam Shakil, fresh from her second consecutive U19 World Cup triumph with India, shared how being part of the Gujarat Giants has been a key factor in her development as a player. “There have been plenty of learnings with the exposure to experienced players and foreign players. They helped me a lot, especially in season two when I got opportunities to play four matches,” she said, emphasizing the growth and experience she gained from playing in the WPL.
Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer of Adani Sportsline, expressed optimism about the team’s performance and the excitement surrounding the home debut. “The expectation is simple—Gujarat Giants will try and give the best and give a great cricket experience to our fans out there, not only in Gujarat but across the country and across the world,” he said. Adesara also noted that playing in front of the home crowd for the first time added a special layer of excitement for the team and the fans.
The Gujarat Giants will be aiming high this season as they look to deliver a strong performance, with their home crowd backing them every step of the way. Their opening match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru promises to be an exciting clash as the 2025 season of the WPL gets underway.