Indian all-rounder Sneh Rana was on Thursday appointed as the captain of Gujarat Giants after Beth Mooney was ruled out of the remainder of the Women’s Premier League (WPL 2023) tournament with a calf injury.
Australia’s Mooney suffered the injury while batting in the tournament opener against Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Stadium on March 4. Mooney is expected to take four to six weeks to regain full fitness.
“I was really looking forward to the first WPL 2023 season with Gujarat Giants but unfortunately injuries are part of the game and I am disappointed to be ruled out for the rest of the season,” Mooney said in the release. “However, I will watch out for the team’s performance and cheer them on every day.”
In place of Mooney, Gujarat Giants have roped in Laura Wolvaardt of South Africa, who starred in South Africa’s run to the finals of the recently concluded 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup.
Wolvaardt was the top scorer with three half-centuries in six matches as hosts South Africa reached the final of the T20 World Cup where they lost against Australia.
India’s Sneh Rana will now be the captain while Australia’s Ashley Gardner has been made the vice-captain. Gujarat Giants will next take on Delhi Capitals at the DY Patil Stadium on March 11.