Gujarat Giants’ qualification for the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 playoffs is the culmination of a journey marked by patience, learning and timely evolution. The moment was sealed in dramatic fashion with an 11-run victory over Mumbai Indians, a result that not only confirmed Gujarat’s place in the knockout stage but also symbolised a shift in identity — from a team once defined by potential to one now recognised for composure and balance.
Against Mumbai in their final league outing, the Giants delivered a performance that reflected everything they have learned over the years. Batting first, Gujarat avoided the temptation of reckless acceleration and instead built their innings smartly. Ashleigh Gardner (46) anchored the effort with authority, while Georgia Wareham (44*) ensured momentum was maintained through the innings. When Mumbai began their chase strongly, it was Gujarat’s bowling unit that stood tall. Sophie Devine’s experience showed in the pressure overs, but it was the collective discipline — supported by sharp fielding — that ultimately strangled Mumbai’s chase and knocked the defending champions out of contention.
Gujarat’s season began with an emphatic batting display against UP Warriorz, where they posted 207 for 4, one of the highest totals of the tournament. Ashleigh Gardner led the scoring with 65 off 41 balls, while debutante Anushka Sharma contributed 44 off 30. Sophie Devine’s 38 off 20 and Georgia Wareham’s late 27* off 10 ensured constant momentum. UP Warriorz responded with 197 for 8, but Gujarat held on for a 10-run victory.
Another batting-heavy performance followed against Delhi Capitals, where Gujarat amassed 209 for 9. The innings revolved around Sophie Devine’s 95 off 42 balls, an innings that put Delhi under sustained pressure. Gardner supported her with 49 off 26 balls. Delhi came close in the chase, reaching 205 for 5, courtesy to Sophie Devine’s last over heroics by defending 6 runs to scrape through a narrow win.
Not all results went Gujarat’s way. Against Mumbai Indians earlier in the season, Gujarat scored 192 for 5, with Georgia Wareham making 43 and Bharti Fulmali adding a rapid 36 off 15 balls. However, Harmanpreet Kaur’s 71* off 43 guided Mumbai to a successful chase. A heavier defeat followed against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where Gujarat were restricted to 117 for 8 despite Gardner’s 54, highlighting the side’s vulnerability when early wickets fell.
Gujarat responded by tightening their approach in the latter half of the league. Against UP Warriorz, they posted 153 for 8, built around Sophie Devine’s 50* off 42 balls and Beth Mooney’s 38. Their bowlers then dominated, dismissing UP for 108, with Rajeshwari Gayakwad claiming 3 for 16.
Another close contest came against Delhi Capitals, where Gujarat defended 174 for 9. Beth Mooney top-scored with 58, her first fifty of the season, while Anushka Sharma added 39. In the second innings, Devine returned figures of 4 for 37 and Gayakwad took 3 for 20, restricting Delhi to 171 for 8 and sealing a three-run win as Sophie Devine gave everyone a deja vu from their earlier fixture by defending 8 runs in the last over and dismissing the set batters Sneh Rana and Niki Prasad.
This season’s success feels even more significant when viewed against Gujarat’s past. Their inaugural WPL campaign in 2023 was a difficult initiation, featuring heavy defeats and a struggle to compete consistently at the highest level. The 2024 season brought incremental improvement but little reward in terms of results. It was in 2025 that Gujarat Giants finally took a major step forward, finishing third and reaching the Eliminator, only to be outclassed by Mumbai Indians. That disappointment, however, proved to be a foundation rather than a failure.
In 2026, the Giants look like a side that has internalised those lessons. Gardner’s steady leadership, Devine’s big-match temperament, the emergence of Anushka Sharma, and a bowling group featuring Renuka, Gayakwad, Kashvee Gautam and Tanuja Kanwar have given Gujarat both depth and clarity of roles. They are no longer reliant on isolated brilliance but thrive on collective execution. Their qualification, confirmed by defeating Mumbai Indians for the first time in WPL history, reflected a team that learned how to win under different conditions. From struggles to sustained competitiveness, this has been their most complete WPL season yet. As they head into the knockouts, Gujarat do so with belief, balance and the quiet confidence of a team that knows it belongs.
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