Gujarat Giants to have new mentor as Mithali Raj exits ahead of WPL 2025 auction: Reports
Women's Premier League (WPL) franchise Gujarat Giants (GG) have reportedly parted ways with mentor Mithali Raj ahead of the 2025 mini-auction, which is scheduled to be held on Sunday, December 15 in Bengaluru. The former India captain was part of the team for two seasons and had played a pivotal role in building the team since the first-ever auction in 2023.
Apart from Mithali Raj, bowling coach Nooshin Al Khadeer also parted ways with the franchise. She was roped in on a two-year contract ahead of the first season and chose not to extend it ahead of the 2025 auction.
According to a report by Cricbuzz, the franchise are set to name replacements for the aforementioned coaching duo on Thursday, December 12. Mithali Raj had already taken up a position as a mentor with the Andhra Cricket Association in the domestic circuit.
Other members of the coaching staff head coach Michael Klinger and fielding coach Carl Hopkinson are slated to continue in their roles and remain in charge to oversee the upcoming season in early 2025.
The Gujarat Giants will be hoping for some consistency in the coaching staff as Mithali Raj's departure comes a year after head coach Rachael Haynes was let go in 2023.
Gujarat Giants did not have a memorable run under Mithali Raj
The Beth Mooney-led franchise are the sole team in the WPL to not witness any playoffs action across the first two editions. The team finished bottom of the table two years in a row, with injuries and unstable dynamics playing a huge role in their struggling run.
The franchise had to deal with criticism for the way they handled their leadership dynamic after Sneh Rana, who led the team in the first season after Mooney's injury, was restored to a deputy in the second season.
The Indian all-rounder was also surprisingly released by the franchise ahead of the 2025 auction along with World Cup-winning seamer Lea Tahuhu and Scotland's Kathryn Bryce.