Women’s Premier League: Mithali Raj appointed as mentor and advisor of Gujarat Giants
Former India captain Mithali Raj has joined the new Women’s Premier League franchise, Gujarat Giants, as an advisor and mentor for the upcoming inaugural season of the BCCI-organised WPL.
“Adani Sportsline’s is jubilant to have on board Padma Shri and former Indian captain of the women’s national #cricket team, Mithali Raj as a mentor & advisor for the women’s premier league. We all are looking forward to scoring some great innings with this partnership,” Pranav Adani tweeted.
Mithali has played in 89 T20Is for India, scoring 2,364 runs at a healthy average of 37.52. She last appeared in a T20I for India against England at home in 2019. She continued to play ODIs and Tests before retiring in June 2022.
Mithali has been the face of Indian women’s cricket for decades, and her participation in the Women’s Premier League will only increase the brand’s value and connect with the public. After announcing her retirement, the right-hander kept her WPL options open and has finally found a home in one of the five teams for the inaugural edition.
The five successful bidders for the inaugural season of WPL include Adani Sportsline Pvt Ltd (Ahmedabad), Indiawin Sports Pvt Ltd (Mumbai), and Royal Challengers Sports Pvt. Ltd (Bangalore), JSW GMR Cricket Pvt Ltd (Delhi) and Capri Global Holdings Pvt Ltd. (Lucknow).
Adani Group bought the Ahmedabad franchise at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) auction on Wednesday with the highest bid of Rs 1,289 crores. Adani Sportsline’s Gujarat Giants cricket franchise joins the Gulf Giants in the DP World ILT20 and the Gujarat Giants in the Pro Kabaddi League.
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah termed January 25, 2023, as a “historic day” in cricket as bids for the Women’s Premier League broke the records of the inaugural men’s IPL back in 2008. “Today is a historic day in cricket as the bidding for teams of the inaugural #WPL broke the records of the inaugural Men’s IPL in 2008! Congratulations to the winners as we garnered Rs.4669.99 Cr in the total bid,” Shah tweeted.