As the Women’s Premier League (WPL) marches towards its fourth edition, Gujarat Giants are gearing up to turn their fortunes around after a landmark 2025 campaign.
At the WPL Mega Auctions on 27th November 2025 in New Delhi, the Giants entered the auction with a clear plan anchored around their experienced core. The franchise’s decision to retain captain Ashleigh Gardner [3.5 CR] and wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney [2.5 CR] highlighted their intent to build on the steady progress made last season, when they advanced to the playoffs for the first time.
Acquiring the services of the former White Ferns skipper Sophie Devine [2 CR] from the marquee set got the Giants off and running. The Giants also delivered one of the most underrated steals of the mega auction by securing the services of India’s “swing queen”, a World Champion, Renuka Singh, for just 60 Lakhs from the marquee set. The exuberance of youth, Titas Sadhu [30 Lakhs], and pace-bowling all-rounder Kashvee Gautam [65 Lakhs] acquired via RTM bolstered the pace bowling resources.
The Giants then scripted a remarkable homecoming for the likes of Georgia Wareham [1 CR], and Kim Garth [50 Lakhs] towards the backend of the accelerated round. The duo were also a part of the Giants family during the inaugural season in 2023. The promising left-arm spin bowling all-rounder Tanuja Kanwer [45 Lakhs], who was impressive in her stint with the franchise, continues her WPL journey and will be donning the orange jersey yet again in her 4th season with the franchise.
Gujarat sneaked in overseas firepower, bagging the services of England batter Danielle Wyatt-Hodge [50 Lakhs]. The addition of Bharti Fulmali [70 Lakhs] via the RTM route, and Kanika Ahuja [30 Lakhs] could prove to be the missing piece in the middle-order puzzle for the Giants. The experienced Indian wicket-keeper batter Yastika Bhatia [50 Lakhs], who is currently recovering from surgery, also made her way from Mumbai to Gujarat at the auction table.
Gujarat Giants Squad for WPL 2026
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’ journey in the WPL has been a rollercoaster. The inaugural 2023 season saw them languishing at the bottom of the points table, managing just 4 points from 8 games with 2 wins and 6 losses. The second edition mirrored this struggle, as they again finished last with identical stats. However, the 2025 season marked a turning point.
Under Ashleigh Gardner’s leadership, who succeeded Beth Mooney as captain, the Giants recorded 4 wins out of 8 matches, securing 8 points and finishing 3rd in the league standings. Their maiden playoff appearance energized the team and fans alike, although their campaign ended with a 47-run defeat to the Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator.
Ahead of the auction, Gujarat Giants retained Ashleigh Gardner for INR 3.5 crore and Beth Mooney for INR 2.5 crore, both pivotal overseas players whose experience and skills form the backbone of the squad. Alongside these retentions, the team held 3 Right-to-Match (RTM) cards, a purse of 9 crore rupees, and 16 squad spots to fill, including 4 available overseas slots. Only a couple of RTM cards were utilized. This auction strategy signaled a careful blend of continuity and fresh talent acquisition aimed at pushing the Giants into genuine title contenders.
As the WPL 2026 mega auction unfolded in New Delhi on 27th November 2025, all eyes were glued on how Gujarat Giants would leverage their prized retentions and remaining purse to assemble a balanced squad. With a mix of seasoned leadership, promising young Indian players, and strategic overseas signings, the Giants have taken a significant step towards evolving from their earlier setbacks and competing fiercely in this edition. The spotlight will be on Ashleigh Gardner’s all-round prowess and Beth Mooney’s consistent batting as the team looks to script a new success story in one of the most competitive women’s cricket leagues globally.
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