Women’s Premier League: Mithali Raj requested me to hitch Gujarat Giants as head coach, says Rachael Haynes

In an unique chat with India Today, former Australia cricketer Rachael Haynes stated that totally different ladies’s competitions can co-exist as it would assist in rising the sport. Haynes additionally hinted who she could be targetting on the WPL public sale.

Gujarat Giants named Rachael Haynes as their head coach for WPL. (Photo: Cricket Australia)

By Priya Nagi: Nearly 5 months after saying her retirement from all types of cricket, former Australia batter Rachael Haynes has been pulled again to the game however in a special position.

Haynes, who’s a two-time ODI World Cup champion and gained the T20 World Cup 4 occasions, agreed to take up the position of head coach at Adani Sportsline’s Gujarat Giants within the inaugural version of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) after being contacted by India batting legend and Gujarat’s mentor Mithali Raj.

While the 36-year-old Haynes has not coached a crew earlier than, she was a pacesetter throughout the Australian facet till her retirement. In an unique interplay with India Today, Haynes had no qualms in admitting that the teaching position could be “challenging” for her however she is trying to make a “valuable contribution” off the sphere.

“This opportunity popped up to coach the side. I was really excited when Mithali contacted me and asked if I would be interested,” Haynes, who lately loved her time commentating on Australian matches, advised India Today.

“So yeah, I think to be part of the inaugural edition of the WPL with such a high-quality franchise and potentially get together a really good squad as well is such an exciting opportunity and one I’m looking forward to, I suppose, challenging myself so hopefully making a valuable contribution off the field instead of on the field this time.”

EXPERIENCED SUPPORT STAFF

Gujarat Giants strengthened its help workers by including India Women’s U19 T20 World Cup-winning coach Nooshin Al Khadeer (bowling coach), Tushar Arothe (batting coach), and Gavan Twining (fielding coach). With the Women’s Premier League set to happen from March 4-26 in Mumbai, Haynes stated that she, alongside along with her help workers, will attempt to create one thing particular at Gujarat Giants.

“I have got good coaches around me. Mithali was chatting to me just to make sure we will be a team off-field as well. I will be looking to draw on their experiences, not just in coaching but in terms of their knowledge around players domestically – who they think has performed really strongly over the last couple of years and could add a lot to the franchise,” stated Haynes.

“They have been very good to talk to and have been very open in sharing their knowledge which is very handy for me. Nooshin has had success recently so that is very exciting for her that as a coach she has brought home a trophy. So, looking forward to creating something special at the club.”

Ahead of the five-team event, 409 cricketers – 246 Indians and 163 abroad gamers (together with eight from affiliate nations) will go underneath the hammer on February 13 in Mumbai. The whole variety of capped gamers are 202, uncapped gamers are 199, and eight are from affiliate nations. A most of 90 slots can be found with the 5 groups, with 30 being slotted for abroad gamers.

WHO ARE GIANTS TARGETTING?

Haynes, who has by no means been a part of an public sale, additional stated that it will be difficult to get the steadiness proper as Gujarat Giants’ heads are planning to determine “key players” round which they may construct the squad. The former Australian batter didn’t draw back from having her teammates and T20I openers Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney on the membership. While Healy’s base worth is INR 50 lakh, Mooney had a reserve worth of INR 40 lakh.

Australia openers Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney in motion. (PTI Photo)

“Among the left-handers, obviously Beth Mooney is one of the best opening batters in this format of the game for a long time. She is a really strong player. In Alyssa Healy we have seen how dangerous she is in big moments at World Cups. This tournament will be a big stage for those players. It will be a different type of pressure as well. If you are being bought for a large amount of money, suddenly a lot of expectations are around you. I reckon they are two of the many who would be taken at auction,” stated Haynes.

Among the India internationals, Haynes named her former Sydney Thunder teammate Harmanpreet Kaur, and Smriti Mandhana to draw franchises. The Australian additionally stated that all-rounder Deepti Sharma shall be “very appealing” as she is a “multi-skilled player” and might bowl in all phases of the sport.

WILL WPL OVERSHADOW WBBL?

The BCCI’s Women’s Premier League is taken into account to be the world’s second most valued ladies’s sports activities league after the Women’s National Basketball Association of the US. The BCCI offered the media rights for WPL seasons 2023-27 for a cumulative determine of INR 951 crores (i.e., INR 7.09 crores per match) and additional garnered INR 4669.99 crores in bidding, paving means for a transformative journey forward. While the Women’s Big Bash League is a confirmed top-class event, it’s the Women’s Premier League that has taken over the minds of the cricketing fraternity.

However, Haynes stated that totally different competitions can co-exist as it would solely assist in rising the sport. She added that there’s sufficient window within the ladies’s calendar to slot in totally different franchise competitions.

“I think there is a space for all female domestic competitions. It is very important that administrators don’t lose sight of that. There is an opportunity for all growing together, no reason why one competition should be shut out or prioritised over the other. We have seen how important it is to grow the game in those countries and also how much players want to support those competitions,” stated Haynes.

“For players who have played in the Hundred (in England), WBBL (in Australia), and now who will come and play in WPL in India, it is important to grow the game. I don’t think we need to compete for the space of time, there is enough space in the women’s cricket calendar to make sure these competitions can stand on or have their time and make sure the best players are available to play in these competitions, particularly while we are looking to grow the sport.”

Published On:

Feb 8, 2023