Ashleigh Gardner

Ashleigh Gardner is the premier all-rounder in women’s cricket, a 'triple-threat' player whose power-hitting, elite off-spin, and big-match temperament have made her the most valuable asset in the T20 circuit. Born on April 15, 1997, in New South Wales, the Muruwari woman has become a serial winner, holding multiple World Cup titles and two Belinda Clark Awards (2022, 2024). Her 2025 season was a statistical masterclass; she captained the Gujarat Giants to their maiden playoff appearance in WPL 2025, finishing the tournament with 243 runs at a blistering strike rate of 164 and hitting 18 sixes—the most by any batter in the league. On the international stage, she led Australia back to the top of the rankings during the 2025 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, scoring two centuries, including a match-defining unbeaten 104 to sink England in Indore.

In a massive show of faith ahead of the 2026 Women’s Premier League mega auction in late 2025, the Gujarat Giants chose to retain Gardner as their cornerstone player for a record-equaling ₹3.50 crore. This retention makes her the joint-most expensive player in WPL history alongside Smriti Mandhana and Nat Sciver-Brunt. For the 2026 season starting in January, Gardner remains the heart of the 'Orange and Black' leadership core. Supported by a revamped squad featuring Sophie Devine and Georgia Wareham, the world’s top-ranked T20 all-rounder is tasked with leading the Giants' charge for their first title. Whether she is dismantling bowling attacks with her signature straight drives or stifling runs with her disciplined off-breaks, Gardner enters 2026 as the undisputed 'X-factor' of global cricket.