Ashleigh Gardner, the Australian all-rounder and captain of the Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026, recently shared her favorite women cricketer in a fun online chat. This light-hearted conversation attracted attention from Cricket fans globally as Gardner participated in a pick-one challenge that led her to a well-respected choice.
The video, posted by Auswomencricket on social media, gives an insight into Gardner’s admiration for her fellow players. Although the chat was casual, her final selection highlighted the respect that top players have for one another in women’s cricket.
Ashleigh Gardner names her favorite women cricketer
The challenge involved Gardner picking between two players at a time. She started with a choice between Amelia Kerr and Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur, ultimately selecting Harmanpreet.
Things got challenging when Australia’s wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney joined the mix. Gardner chose Mooney and continued with her through several rounds. However, when former Australian captain Meg Lanning came into play, Gardner switched her choice to Lanning and remained loyal until one last heavyweight appeared.
Presented with the option of Lanning or Ellyse Perry, Gardner made her final pick: Perry. From then on, she firmly designated Perry as her favorite women cricketer. Perry’s long career, versatility, and ability to perform under pressure have made her a standout in women’s cricket. As a fellow all-rounder, Gardner clearly relates to Perry’s well-rounded skills and professionalism.
Gardner’s impact with Gujarat Giants
Aside from the chat, Gardner has made a significant impact on the field in WPL 2026. Under her captaincy, the Gujarat Giants secured a spot in the Eliminator after a thrilling 11-run victory against the Mumbai Indians on January 30, ending an eight-match losing streak against the defending champions.
Gardner has played a crucial role in the Giants’ turnaround, scoring 244 runs in eight matches with an average of 30.50, including a notable 65 against the UP Warriorz. With five wins from eight games, she has led her team to second place on the points table, setting up an Eliminator match for February 3.
