WPL 2024: Gujarat Giants (GG) – SWOT Analysis

WPL 2024: Gujarat Giants assembled a strong side ahead of the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL 2023), yet they had an abysmal showing. Saddled with the loss of their skipper Beth Mooney in the season early on, experienced India campaigner Sneh Rana led the side admirably and finished 5th on the table.

In the WPL 2024 Auction subsequently, they rebuilt their side entirely and focussed on picking some talented domestic picks who would add a lot of value to the set-up. The acquisition of players like Meghna Singh, Trisha Poojitha, Veda Krishnamurthy, Mannat Kashyap, Priya Mishra, and Kathyrn Bryce, to name a few will prove to be value buys ahead of the season.

In what turned out to be another setback for the Gujarat Giants has to be how the most expensive buy in this history of the tournament, Kashvee Gautam for 4.2 Crores will be sidelined because of injury. She will be replaced by Sayali Satghare, a pace all-round sensation from Mumbai.

Here is the Gujarat Giants Squad ahead of the WPL 2024:

Ashleigh Gardner*, Beth Mooney (C)*, Dayalan Hemalatha, Harleen Deol, Laura Wolvaardt*, Shabnam Shakil, Sneh Rana, Tanuja Kanwar, Phoebe Litchfield*, Meghna Singh, Trisha Poojitha, Sayali Sathgare, Priya Mishra, Lea Tahuhu, Kathryn Bryce, Mannat Kashyap, Tarannum Pathan, Veda Krishnamurthy

ALSO READ: WPL 2024: LIVE Streaming, Fixtures And Squad Details – Here Is All You Need To Know

Let us now dive deeper into the SWOT Analysis of Gujarat Giants:

Strengths

Beth Mooney’s return: Gujarat Giants will be bolstered by the return of their skipper Beth Mooney. A run machine and batter par excellence, Mooney is a bonafide legend and has scored truckloads of runs in the WBBL and international cricket to mark her presence. She will add the much-needed solidity right at the top of the order and can be banked upon to give powerful starts.

Beth's the way we like it! 😎

Captain aavi gaya che! 💃#GujaratGiants #BringItOn #Adani pic.twitter.com/G9EcTNAFaO

— Gujarat Giants (@Giant_Cricket) February 21, 2024

Solid batting lineup: Gujarat Giants has a reasonably good batting line-up. With Beth Mooney likely to open the innings, the batting has the likes of Phoebe Litchfield, Harleen Deol, Ashleigh Gardner, Veda Krishnamurthy and D Hemalatha to wrap up the batting. This not only exudes batting depth but a lot of confidence in the set-up that can rake up big scores.

Luxury to play an associate player: Gujarat Giants were wise enough to invest in an associate player, Kathyrn Bryce. The Scottish all-rounder has been instrumental in her outings with her national side and has created waves with her performances. Her presence in the playing 11 is a given and she can be the X Factor for them in the tournament.

Good domestic picks: Shabnam Shakil, Sneh Rana, Tanuja Kanwar, Dayalan Hemalatha, Meghna Singh, Trisha Poojitha, Sayali Sathgare, Priya Mishra, Mannat Kashyap, Tarannum Pathan and Veda Krishnamurthy form a solid domestic core, the Gujarat Giants think tank were wise to invest in these players who have been consistent performers in the domestic ecosystem. Having these players in the set-up and the opportunity for them to rub shoulders with the international stalwarts will do them a world of good.

3️⃣ times the anticipation. 3️⃣ times the excitement. 🥳

Bas 3️⃣ divas ma aapda Giants will #BringItOn! 🔥#GujaratGiants #Adani pic.twitter.com/WKI8ibotbi

— Gujarat Giants (@Giant_Cricket) February 22, 2024

Weaknesses

Lack of pace options: Gujarat Giants were banking on Kashvee Gautam to be the pace bowling option who would lend a lot of stability to the bowling but her injury derailed their plans. The inclusion of Lea Tahuhu will be instrumental and with Meghna Singh and Sayali Satghare, will bolster the pace attack. But any injury can prove to be detrimental as there are no options to fall back upon.

READ MORE: WPL 2024: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – SWOT Analysis

Ash Gardner’s average returns: Ashleigh Gardner is a stellar all-rounder but her returns lately have been far from impressive. In the recently concluded India versus Australia series, she was not at her best and this WPL will be imperative for her.

Uncertain #3: One of the nagging concerns for Gujarat Giants is how their number 3 slot in the batting department is still a big question mark. Ideally, someone like Harleen Deol might be well-suited here or will Dayalan Hemalatha or Veda Krishnamurthy be slotted there? Only time will tell.

Opportunities

Michael Klinger as Head Coach: Michael Klinger has been roped in as the Head Coach for Gujarat Giants ahead of the season. Klinger comes in with a CV of having been a successful player and coaching experience with Melbourne Renegades and New South Wales. His inclusion is a welcome step in the right direction and a massive boost to the set-up which will benefit with his strategies and tactics as they begin the season with a clean slate.

Dayalan Hemalatha to shine at #6: Dayalan Hemalatha has had a sporadic time with the Indian international team, never given time to settle in or given a longer rope. Her performances in the domestic circuit, however, have been nothing short of impressive and she has been on the fringes of India’s selection since then. This WPL, if she is utilised as a #6 in the batting order, she can shine and make a mark for herself.

Phoebe Litchfield to continue her good vein of form: Phoebe Litchfield has been a revelation and there’s no discounting how consistent and prolific she was in the series versus India. She was timing the ball to perfection, scoring big runs and playing spin in these subcontinent conditions with ease. It will be interesting to see how she fares in this season of the WPL and carries on the form for Australia in other international assignments.

ALSO READ: WPL 2024: UP Warriorz (UPW) – SWOT Analysis

Threats

Over-dependence on foreign picks: For Gujarat Giants, their over-dependence on overseas players is glaring and something that will be tricky for them in the season as their fortunes largely rely on their form and performances. The domestic core will also want to learn and absorb the pressure from these foreign stars.

A look behind the curtain before the action begins. 😎🎥#BringItOn #Adani #GujaratGiants pic.twitter.com/Ox0cKpdsqB

— Gujarat Giants (@Giant_Cricket) February 18, 2024

WPL 2024: GG Best Playing 11

Beth Mooney (C)*, Phoebe Litchfield*, Harleen Deol, Ashleigh Gardner*, Veda Krishnamurthy, D Hemalatha, Sneh Rana, Kathryn Bryce**, Sayali Satghare, Mannat Kashyap, Lea Tahuhu*

Kicking off our first training session in style! 😎

Here's a quick teaser of our Giants as they suit up for the first time this season. 🤩#BringItOn #GujaratGiants #Adani pic.twitter.com/0rp5W04WBB

— Gujarat Giants (@Giant_Cricket) February 18, 2024

Prediction

Gujarat Giants are likely to end the season in the 4th or 5th position but we can expect them to give tough competition to the other teams.

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