As the Women’s Premier League (WPL) gears up for its electrifying 4th edition from January 9 to February 5, 2026, with the first phase at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and the second at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, Gujarat Giants, under skipper Ashleigh Gardner, stand poised for redemption. Their campaign ignites on January 10 at 3:30 PM IST against UP Warriorz in the opener of a double-header, marking a pivotal moment for a franchise that’s transformed from perennial strugglers to playoff contenders.
The WPL 2026 mega auction on November 27 in New Delhi showcased Gujarat’s shrewd blueprint: retaining Gardner (₹3.5 CR) and Beth Mooney (₹2.5 CR) as the experienced core, then snapping up Sophie Devine (₹2 CR) and India’s swing queen Renuka Singh (₹60 Lakhs) from the marquee set. Gems like Titas Sadhu (₹30 Lakhs) and Kashvee Gautam (₹65 Lakhs) fortified the pace attack, homecoming stars Georgia Wareham (₹1 CR) and Kim Garth (₹50 Lakhs) rejoined from the 2023 inaugural season. Tanuja Kanwer (₹45 Lakhs) returns for her 4th Giants stint, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge (₹50 Lakhs) adds English firepower, and middle-order prospects Bharti Fulmali (₹70 Lakhs, RTM), Kanika Ahuja (₹30 Lakhs), and recovering Yastika Bhatia (₹50 Lakhs) complete a squad blending youth and nous.
From rock-bottom finishes in 2023 and 2024 (2 wins, 6 losses each, 4 points) to a breakthrough 3rd place in 2025 (4 wins, 8 points, maiden playoffs before a 47-run Eliminator loss to Mumbai Indians), the Giants enter the season with renewed energy, with a blend of experience and youth to go one step further.
Gujarat Giants WPL 2026 Squads:
Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Bharti Fulmali, Yastika Bhatia, Shivani Singh, Sophie Devine, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Kashvee Gautam, Kanika Ahuja, Tanuja Kanwer, Ayushi Soni, Anushka Sharma, Titas Sadhu, Renuka Singh, Happy Kumari, Rajeshwari Gayakwad
Gujarat Giants SWOT Analysis for WPL 2026
This SWOT analysis dissects their strengths in leadership and pace bowling depth, weaknesses like batting fragility, opportunities from young Indian talent, and threats posed by injury risks and fierce rivals, revealing if Gardner’s orange army can finally claim the title.
Strengths: One of the Strongest Pace Bowling Attacks on Paper
Gujarat Giants boast one of the most formidable pace bowling line-ups in WPL 2026 on paper, headlined by India’s World Cup-winning “swing queen” Renuka Singh Thakur, whose lethal new-ball movement could dismantle top orders early. The attack gains explosive edge from Titas Sadhu’s fiery ability to extract swing movement, and Kashvee Gautam’s express pace; both young quicks are likely to be sure starters in the 11 for the Giants.
Kim Garth’s accuracy with the ball could be a vital factor for the side whenever called upon to provide her services by skipper Ashleigh Gardner. Sophie Devine adds a seasoned all-round bite with her canny overs, while utility players like Happy Kumari and batting all-rounder Ayushi Soni provide depth for tactical tweaks in the death overs. This blend of swing, speed, and skill propelled the Giants to the playoffs last season and positions them to dominate power plays against batting-heavy rivals.
Weakness: Lack of Local frontline off-spin and leg-spin options
Gujarat Giants’ spin department leans heavily on overseas firepower with skipper Ashleigh Gardner’s probing off-spin and Georgia Wareham’s wristy leg-spin wizardry, leaving a glaring gap in homegrown frontline off-spin and leg-spin options. Tanuja Kanwer’s left-arm spin and Rajeshwari Gayakwad’s similar craft, rounded out by Kanika Ahuja’s part-time off-breaks, offer solidity but lack the dynamic variety needed to counter flat pitches or aggressive batters in Vadodara’s second phase.
There’ll be more pressure on Tanuja Kanwer to deliver with the ball. The overreliance on two Australian tweakers risks exposure if overseas slots fill up or form dips, especially with WPL rules capping foreign players at four, potentially sidelining one spinner mid-season. Last season’s playoff run highlighted the weak link especially with leg-spinner Priya Mishra losing form. She isn’t a part of the side this time around. Against spin-savvy sides like the Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, the Giants could struggle without a punchy local leg-spin to break partnerships. Part-timers like Ahuja can’t replicate frontline impact in crunch overs.
Opportunities: Significant roles for the likes of Bharti Fulmali and Kashvee Gautam
Bharti Fulmali showed positive signs by delivering impactful performances under immense pressure in the previous season. She could have a defined role at number five. Kashvee Gautam flexed her muscles with the bat in the previous season. This time around, she has the opportunity to show her skills as a designated finisher in the side.
Gujarat Giants Schedule for WPL 2026:
- January 10, 2026: Vs UP Warriorz. DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. 3:30 PM IST.
- January 11, 2026: Vs Delhi Capitals. DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. 7:30 PM IST.
- January 13, 2026: Vs Mumbai Indians. DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. 7:30 PM IST.
- January 16, 2026: Vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru. DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. 7:30 PM IST.
- January 19, 2026: Vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara. 7:30 PM IST.
- January 22, 2026: Vs UP Warriorz. Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara. 7:30 PM IST.
- January 27, 2026: Vs Delhi Capitals. Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara. 7:30 PM IST.
- January 30, 2026: Vs Mumbai Indians. Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara. 7:30 PM IST.
Gujarat Giants enter WPL 2026 with a pace attack that could terrorise top orders and a leadership core in Ashleigh Gardner, Sophie Devine, and Beth Mooney, primed for glory, yet their spin vulnerabilities and batting uncertainties demand sharp tactical nous. Balancing explosive youth like Kashvee Gautam with seasoned campaigners like Renuka Singh, Sophie Devine offers a genuine title upside, provided Yastika Bhatia’s recovery aligns, and middle-order puzzles like Bharti Fulmali click.
Under the DY Patil lights and Kotambi’s bounce, skipper Gardner holds the cards to convert last season’s playoff promise into silverware, exploiting bowling strengths while masking spin gaps through rotation and matchups. The orange juggernaut stands not as underdogs, but calculated contenders ready to roar past familiar foes like UP Warriorz on January 10. With momentum from 2025’s third-place finish, this edition could crown the Giants’ long-awaited championship contenders.
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