<p>India all-rounder Sneh Rana was on Thursday named captain of Gujarat Giants after Beth Mooney was ruled out of the remainder of the inaugural Women's Premier League owing to a calf injury.</p>.<p>The Australian had suffered the injury while batting during the tournament opener against Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Stadium on March 4.</p>.<p>Mooney is likely to take four to six weeks to regain full fitness.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/gujarat-giants-beat-rcb-by-11-runs-secure-first-wpl-win-1198415.html" target="_blank">Gujarat Giants beat RCB by 11 runs, secure first WPL win</a></strong></p>.<p>"I was really looking forward to the maiden WPL season with the Adani Gujarat Giants. But unfortunately, injuries are part and parcel of the sport and I am gutted to be missing the remainder of the season," Mooney said in a release.</p>.<p>"I, however, will be keeping a close eye on the team's performance from afar and will be rooting for them every single day.</p>.<p>"And though I will be away from the field of play for the rest of the season, I am looking forward to coming back stronger, fitter and I will definitely be hungrier next season."</p>.<p>In Mooney's place, Gujarat Giants drafted in dynamic opener Laura Wolvaardt, who had recently played a key role for South Africa in the 2023 Women's T20 World Cup.</p>.<p>Wolvaardt was the top scorer with three half-centuries from six matches as hosts South Africa reached the finals of the T20 World Cup, where they lost to Australia.</p>.<p>"I am so excited to be joining the Gujarat Giants. It is an incredible opportunity and I'm very grateful to be able to play in the WPL. I look forward to meeting up with the team and cannot wait to get going," Wolvaardt said.</p>.<p>India's Rana will now be the captain and Australian Ashleigh Gardner will be her deputy.</p>.<p>"Skipper Beth Mooney was definitely one of the most bankable players in the team and she will be sorely missed. We wish her a speedy recovery and I am sure she will make her mark in the upcoming season," said Rachael Haynes, head coach of Gujarat Giants.</p>.<p>"We welcome Laura to the squad and look forward to bring in some of the best cricketing action in the maiden WPL season."</p>.<p>Gujarat Giants will next take on Delhi Capitals on March 11 at the DY Patil Stadium.</p>.<p>Gujarat Giants Squad: Sneh Rana (C), Ashleigh Gardner (VC), Laura Wolvaardt, Sophia Dunkley, Annabel Sutherland, Harleen Deol, Kim Garth, S Meghana, Georgia Wareham, Mansi Joshi, Dayalan Hemalatha, Monica Patel, Tanuja Kanwer, Sushma Verma, Hurley Gala, Ashwani Kumari, Parunika Sisodia, Shabnam Shakil.</p>
<p>India all-rounder Sneh Rana was on Thursday named captain of Gujarat Giants after Beth Mooney was ruled out of the remainder of the inaugural Women's Premier League owing to a calf injury.</p>.<p>The Australian had suffered the injury while batting during the tournament opener against Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Stadium on March 4.</p>.<p>Mooney is likely to take four to six weeks to regain full fitness.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/cricket/gujarat-giants-beat-rcb-by-11-runs-secure-first-wpl-win-1198415.html" target="_blank">Gujarat Giants beat RCB by 11 runs, secure first WPL win</a></strong></p>.<p>"I was really looking forward to the maiden WPL season with the Adani Gujarat Giants. But unfortunately, injuries are part and parcel of the sport and I am gutted to be missing the remainder of the season," Mooney said in a release.</p>.<p>"I, however, will be keeping a close eye on the team's performance from afar and will be rooting for them every single day.</p>.<p>"And though I will be away from the field of play for the rest of the season, I am looking forward to coming back stronger, fitter and I will definitely be hungrier next season."</p>.<p>In Mooney's place, Gujarat Giants drafted in dynamic opener Laura Wolvaardt, who had recently played a key role for South Africa in the 2023 Women's T20 World Cup.</p>.<p>Wolvaardt was the top scorer with three half-centuries from six matches as hosts South Africa reached the finals of the T20 World Cup, where they lost to Australia.</p>.<p>"I am so excited to be joining the Gujarat Giants. It is an incredible opportunity and I'm very grateful to be able to play in the WPL. I look forward to meeting up with the team and cannot wait to get going," Wolvaardt said.</p>.<p>India's Rana will now be the captain and Australian Ashleigh Gardner will be her deputy.</p>.<p>"Skipper Beth Mooney was definitely one of the most bankable players in the team and she will be sorely missed. We wish her a speedy recovery and I am sure she will make her mark in the upcoming season," said Rachael Haynes, head coach of Gujarat Giants.</p>.<p>"We welcome Laura to the squad and look forward to bring in some of the best cricketing action in the maiden WPL season."</p>.<p>Gujarat Giants will next take on Delhi Capitals on March 11 at the DY Patil Stadium.</p>.<p>Gujarat Giants Squad: Sneh Rana (C), Ashleigh Gardner (VC), Laura Wolvaardt, Sophia Dunkley, Annabel Sutherland, Harleen Deol, Kim Garth, S Meghana, Georgia Wareham, Mansi Joshi, Dayalan Hemalatha, Monica Patel, Tanuja Kanwer, Sushma Verma, Hurley Gala, Ashwani Kumari, Parunika Sisodia, Shabnam Shakil.</p>