Former Australia cricketer Michael Klinger has been appointed as the head coach of the Gujarat Giants ahead of WPL 2024. He will replace Rachel Haynes in the role, and will now work alongside bowling coach Nooshin Al Khadeer and mentor Mithali Raj.

Klinger has had quite a coaching career after he retired from the game. He was head coach of the BBL side Melbourne Renegades for two seasons from 2019-20 onwards, and most recently was assistant coach at Sydney Thunder in the WBBL, where the side finished fourth.

Speaking about his recent appointment as head coach, Klinger said, "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 in 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 announcement of Klinger as coach comes just over two weeks before the start of the second season of the WPL on February 23. worst season, the Giants lost six of their eight games with Haynes as coach and finished worst among the five teams.

Mentor Mithali Raj welcomed the appointment of Klinger as head coach.

"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. We are sure of attaining success with him as head coach,” Raj said.

Giants' first game of WPL 2024 is on February 25 against Mumbai Indians.

(ANI inputs)