Ashleigh Gardner, a top all-rounder, recently became captain of the Gujarat Giants, leading them to their best campaign in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) after two previous last-place finishes. With three wins so far, Gardner attributes the team’s success to improved morale and enjoyment among players. She emphasizes her learning from seasoned leaders while maintaining her unique approach to captaincy. Garnering personal success, she has already surpassed her previous run tally this season. With an ODI Women’s World Cup approaching, Gardner believes Australia remains the best team, excited about the growth in domestic talent in the WPL.
Ashleigh Gardner, widely regarded as one of the top all-rounders globally, recently took on the role of captaincy, leading the Gujarat Giants to their most successful season yet in the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL).
“I certainly never aimed to be a captain at the start of my career,” Gardner reflected as she approaches ten years in professional cricket. “If the opportunity arose, I would embrace it, and it’s a tremendous challenge,” she shared with Sportstar, just six matches into her tenure with the Giants.
After finishing last in both previous WPL seasons, 2025 marked a significant turnaround. With three victories so far, the Gardner-led squad improved their standing, now sitting second in the table. According to the new captain, the team’s success can be attributed to players beginning to enjoy their game.
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“The first two seasons of the WPL didn’t unfold as we had hoped. However, looking at our current roster, there’s just a different energy this time,” she noted.
“Being able to mentally reset before each match has placed us in a good position, aware that any opponent can be defeated. We’re certainly on an upward trajectory, which is thrilling,” Gardner stated, with two matches left for the Giants against Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians.
While the 27-year-old acknowledges her ability to learn from experienced leaders like Meg Lanning – the Capitals’ captain – and Alyssa Healy, Gardner is dedicated to her unique leadership style. “Everyone has different approaches to captaincy, and I hope to find my own way,” she mentioned.
Ashleigh Gardner (c) of Gujarat Giants delivers a ball during match 15 of the Women’s Premier League 2025 (WPL) between the UP Warriorz and the Gujarat Giants held at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, India on the 3rd March 2025. | Photo Credit: Sportzpics for WPL
Ashleigh Gardner (c) of Gujarat Giants delivers a ball during match 15 of the Women’s Premier League 2025 (WPL) between the UP Warriorz and the Gujarat Giants held at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow, India on the 3rd March 2025. | Photo Credit: Sportzpics for WPL
Living up to her words, the Australian set an example right from the start, scoring a remarkable 79 off 37 balls and claiming two crucial wickets against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the season opener at Vadodara, the Giants’ home venue. Although GG lost that high-scoring encounter, she set a positive tone for the rest of the season.
“I can’t deny that I didn’t perform for my team last year,” acknowledged Gardner, who scored 120 runs and took seven wickets in eight matches in 2024. “I’m now playing with a lot of confidence, which often makes all the difference. A solid Ashes campaign with both bat and ball has contributed to that confidence,” she explained.
The Ashes series saw Gardner achieve her first international century (WODI) and rank among the top five for both runs and wickets despite missing all three T20Is.
Nonetheless, while individual achievement is gratifying, team triumph remains her primary focus. “Personal accolades are wonderful, but putting my team in a position to win, whether that’s with bat, ball, or in the field, really motivates me,” she added.
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“Winning that series 16-0 (with two points for each of the three T20I and three ODI victories, plus four points for the one-off Test win) was something we initially thought would be unattainable. Yet, playing some of our best cricket in a long time was gratifying,” she noted.
With the ODI Women’s World Cup in India approaching, Gardner is confident the defending champions can hold onto their title. “I believe our chances are strong. I still think we’re the best team in the world – that’s hard to dispute. We’ve played a lot of cricket in India, so the experience is invaluable,” she stated.
Gardner’s current WPL form bolsters her confidence. She has already exceeded her best run tally with 213 runs in six matches and is approaching ten wickets (currently at 7). “Having participated in my third edition of the WPL and frequently touring India with Australia, I’ve become accustomed to the conditions,” she remarked.
“Our chances are good. I still think we’re the best team in the world – there’s probably no denying that. We’ve played so much cricket here in India, so we have the experience.”Ashleigh Gardner
“In T20 cricket, conditions are often favorable for batting, but this season of the WPL has also given bowlers some support. I believe this WPL (2025) has been the most competitive of all editions,” Gardner said, noting the tournament’s growth due to the emergence of more domestic talent.
“We’re seeing players from each team carving out their own identities. It’s exciting to witness these young talents excel on such a prominent platform,” she praised, highlighting GG’s Kashvee Gautam and Priya Mishra.
While she believes Australia’s domestic cricket structure is leading the charge, Gardner notes that India is quickly catching up. “Our domestic players have been compensated for their cricketing efforts over the past few years, which is a huge advantage. Knowing that they can dedicate significant time and energy to their game allows them to reach their full potential. This is why the WBBL remains a leader in women’s cricket globally,” Gardner expressed, hoping the WPL will similarly progress.