Squad overhaul boosts Gujarat Giants’ prospects
Gujarat Giants strategically strengthened their line-up post-auction, picking up all-round dynamos like Sophie Devine for ₹2 crore, Kim Garth, Ayushi Soni, Georgia WarehamAnd Kanika Ahuja to add depth and versatility. They also insured explosive seizure Danni Wyatt-Hodge and custodian Yastika Bhatiawith retention of skipper Ashleigh Gardner And Beth Mooney as core. Domestic remains Bharti Fulmali, Tanuja KanwarAnd Kashvee Gautam provide continuity, where the bowling is strengthened by Renuka Singh Thakur, Titas Sadhuand Wareham next to Gardner’s spin
Mooney comes in on top form, topping the WBBL 2025-26 charts with around 500+ runs across 13 innings for Perth Scorchersdemonstrating her anchoring ability with a strike rate of over 140. Captain Gardner, GG’s leading points scorer in WPL 2025 with 243 runs at a strike rate of 164 and 8 wickets, led them to the play-offs, combining explosive medium strokes with off-spin control. These changes address the weaknesses of the past, creating a balanced unit ready for T20 dominance on varied Indian pitches
READ also: Gujarat Giants appoint three-time World Cup winner as their new fielding coach for WPL 2026
GG’s best playing XI for WPL 2026
1. Beth Mooney (World Cup, overseas)
Role: Opening fitting
Power: Unwavering consistency and power
What she brings: Mooney lays the foundation for Powerplay with precise glovework and adaptive pace control, turning starts into match-winning punches on seams. Her WBBL mastery allows GG to post par totals or chase efficiently under pressure. Leadership in partnerships stabilizes volatile top orders.
2. Sophie Devine (overseas)
Role: An all-rounder
Power: Explosive starts and mediocre attacks
What she brings: Devine shatters pitches in Powerplays with brute force and seam swing, putting early pressure on defensive pitches. Her all-round usefulness includes mid-range breakthroughs and late peaks. Tactical flexibility adapts seamlessly to field conditions.
3. Danni Wyatt-Hodge (overseas)
Role: Top class fittings
Power: Aggressive strokeplay and T20 pedigree
What she brings: Wyatt-Hodge injects acceleration after Powerplay with increased covers against spin, saving stuttering starts. Her international experience astutely interprets attacks as border cascades. Clutch performance thrives during pursuits on impact-friendly surfaces.
4. Yastika Bhatia
Role: Mid-range hitter/back-up goalie
Power: Left-handed flair and quick scoring
What she brings: Bhatia disrupts bowling plans with elegant drives versus pace, creating a left-right balance in the engine room. Her fast 500+ WPL runs stabilize collapses or cause accelerations. Keeping backup adds to the team’s versatility.
5. Ashleigh Gardner (C, overseas)
Role: Mid-range all-rounder
Power: Spin wizardry and six-hitting
What she brings: Gardner orchestrates middle overs through off-spin control and explosive counters, running games with all-round dominance. Captain instincts dynamically optimize field settings and bowling changes. Playoff pedigree performs under knockout lights.
6. Bharti Fulmali
Role: Middle hitter
Power: Composite anchorage under pressure
What she brings: Fulmali rebuilds innings methodically on slowing tracks with smart singles and selective risks. Her SR 120 cameos effectively save A-list issues. Domestic nous seamlessly complements foreign stars.
7. Kashvee Gautam
Role: All-rounder of a lower level
Power: Seam swing and lower order striking
What she brings: Gautam’s new-ball swing takes the edges out early, combined with lower-order cameos for late momentum. Her econo 5.30 exploits Powerplays ruthlessly. Youthful energy increases team morale.
8. Tanuja Kanwar
Role: Left arm spinner
Power: Flighted control and wickets
What she brings: Kanwar suffocates the scoring with fleeting temptations on the turners and builds pressure through points. Her 7 WPL wickets complement pace attacks perfectly. Economy kings middle overs.
9. Renuka Singh Thakur
Role: Lead pacer
Power: Swing and accuracy
What she brings: Renuka swings the new ball to dismantle the opening, followed by Death Yorkers. International origins shine in big moments. Econ below 6 sets the tone.
10.Titas Sadhu
Role: Pace bowler
Power: Raw speed and resilience
What she brings: Sadhu’s quick pace extracts bounce to unsettle batters mid-innings. Variations are effective for lefties. Rising threat builds overs.
11.Rajeshwari Gayakwad
Role: Orthodox left-arm spinner
Power: Economic variations and middle-over control
What she brings: Gayakwad strangles run rates with subtle spins on grippy decks, creating spin blocks. WPL parsimony (econ 6.5) forces errors. Experience guides young people.
READ also: WPL 2026: Mumbai Indians’ Best Playing XI for the Women’s Premier League
This article was first published on WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
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