Australian cricketer Ashleigh Gardner commended the Indian women’s team for their recent success, particularly their World Cup win. She finds extra motivation in playing against teams led by Indian captains due to their popularity in India. Gardner’s team, Gujarat Giants, will kick off their Women’s Premier League 2026 campaign against UP Warriorz, led by her former captain Meg Lanning.
Gardner expressed eagerness to compete against Indian captains like Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, and Jemimah Rodrigues, who lead other teams in the league. She acknowledged the emotional impact of India’s World Cup victory and looks forward to the challenge.
Speaking ahead of their opening match, Meg Lanning, the new captain of UP Warriorz, shared her excitement about leading a new team and reuniting with Deepti Sharma, a key player in India’s recent World Cup triumph. Lanning emphasized the learning opportunity and challenges of adapting to a new squad.
Lanning reflected on her successful tenure with Delhi Capitals and expressed enthusiasm for the fresh challenge with UP Warriorz. She highlighted the adjustment required to familiarize herself with the new team dynamics and staff. The upcoming clash between UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants marks the beginning of the league.
