Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], February 6: Former Australia cricketer Michael Klinger has been appointed as the head coach for the Gujarat Giants ahead of Season 2 of the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
He joins the squad with legendary former Indian captain Mithali Raj, who is the Mentor and Advisor of the team, and Nooshin Al Khadeer, who has been the Bowling Coach since Season 1. Klinger most recently served as an assistant coach for Sydney Thunder, a team that finished fourth in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).
He also worked with Phoebe Litchfield, the new recruit to the Thunder, having served as the head coach of the Melbourne Renegades Men’s team from 2019 to 2021.
Klinger attained legendary status in the Men’s BBL as a player. He retired in 2019 and left as the league’s highest-ever run scorer. His experience in various aspects of the game will prove beneficial for the Gujarat Giants team.
Speaking about his recent appointment as head coach, Michael Klinger said as quoted from a release by Gujarat Giants, “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.”
The appointment of Klinger was also lauded by Mithali Raj, Team Mentor and Advisor, “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.