Michael Klinger, former Australia cricketer, has been named the Head Coach for the Gujarat Giants, owned by Adani Sportsline, in preparation for Season 2 of the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
The upcoming season of the WPL is scheduled to take place in Bangalore and New Delhi, commencing on February 23 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Klinger joins forces with the squad alongside legendary former Indian captain Mithali Raj, who serves as the mentor and advisor of the team. Additionally, Nooshin Al Khadeer, the bowling coach since Season 1, continues her role with the team.
At 43 years old, Michael Klinger, the newly appointed Head Coach for the Gujarat Giants, previously held the position of assistant coach for the Sydney Thunder. The team secured a fourth-place finish in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). Klinger also contributed to the development of Phoebe Litchfield, a new recruit for the Thunder, while serving as the head coach of the Melbourne Renegades Men’s team from 2019 to 2021.
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Klinger earned legendary status as a player in the Men’s Big Bash League (BBL), retiring in 2019 as the league’s all-time highest run-scorer. His extensive experience in various facets of the game is expected to bring valuable insights and expertise to the Gujarat Giants team.
In response to his recent appointment as head coach, Klinger expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “The Gujarat Giants have a chance to do something special in Season 2 of the Women’s Premier League. I am eagerly looking forward to working with cricketing legend Mithali Raj, who has played a transformative role in women’s cricket in India. Together with the Adani Sportsline family, Mithali Raj, and the rest of the team, I hope to take the team to ultimate glory.”
Mithali Raj, the Team Mentor and Advisor, praised Klinger’s appointment, saying, “Working with Michael will help bring out the best in the Gujarat Giants players. His expertise with the bat is also well-known and will surely benefit some of the younger members of our team. We look forward to having Klinger in the dressing room. We are sure of attaining success with him as head coach.”
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Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer (CBO) at Adani Sportsline, commended Klinger as a valuable addition to the Gujarat Giants and the Adani Sportsline family. Adesara noted Klinger’s impressive track record in the BBL as both a coach and player, expressing confidence that his expertise will contribute to the team’s success in the upcoming WPL season and beyond.
The Giants are scheduled to kick off their campaign against the Mumbai Indians on February 25.
