Gujarat Giants fell wanting their first Women’s Premier League title in 2025, exiting within the Eliminator in opposition to Mumbai Indians regardless of a powerful playoff qualification. Now rebuilt with firepower, they launch the 2026 marketing campaign in opposition to UP Warriorz on January 10 at a venue like DY Patil Stadium, aiming to dominate from the outset. This revamped squad blends confirmed stars and rising abilities, positioning GG as critical contenders.
Squad overhaul boosts Gujarat Giants’ prospects
Gujarat Giants strategically bolstered their lineup post-auction, snapping up all-round dynamos like Sophie Devine for ₹2 crore, Kim Garth, Ayushi Soni, Georgia Wareham, and Kanika Ahuja so as to add depth and flexibility. In addition they secured explosive batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge and keeper Yastika Bhatia, whereas retaining skipper Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney because the core. Home holdovers Bharti Fulmali, Tanuja Kanwar, and Kashvee Gautam present continuity, with the bowling fortified by Renuka Singh Thakur, Titas Sadhu, and Wareham alongside Gardner’s spin.
Mooney enters in peak kind, topping the WBBL 2025-26 charts with round 500+ runs throughout 13 innings for Perth Scorchers, showcasing her anchoring prowess at a strike fee over 140. Captain Gardner, GG’s main run-scorer in WPL 2025 with 243 runs at 164 strike fee and eight wickets, led them to playoffs, mixing explosive middle-order hitting with off-spin management. These modifications deal with previous weaknesses, crafting a balanced unit primed for T20 dominance on diverse Indian pitches.
Additionally READ: Gujarat Giants appoint three-time World Cup winner as their new fielding coach for WPL 2026
GG’s finest enjoying XI for WPL 2026
1. Beth Mooney (WK, Abroad)
Function: Opening batter
Energy: Unwavering consistency and energy
What she brings: Mooney lays Powerplay foundations with exact glovework and adaptive tempo management, changing begins into match-winning knocks on seaming tracks. Her WBBL mastery ensures GG posts par totals or chases effectively below strain. Management in partnerships stabilizes risky prime orders.
2. Sophie Devine (Abroad)
Function: Opening all-rounder
Energy: Explosive begins and medium-pace strikes
What she brings: Devine shatters fields in Powerplays with uncooked energy and seam swing, forcing defensive fields early to pile strain. Her all-round utility covers middle-over breakthroughs and late hitting surges. Tactical flexibility adapts to pitch circumstances seamlessly.
3. Danni Wyatt-Hodge (Abroad)
Function: High-order batter
Energy: Aggressive strokeplay and T20 pedigree
What she brings: Wyatt-Hodge injects acceleration post-Powerplay with lofted covers in opposition to spin, rescuing faltering begins. Her worldwide expertise reads assaults astutely for boundary cascades. Clutch performances thrive in chases on batting-friendly surfaces.
4. Yastika Bhatia
Function: Center-order batter/backup keeper
Energy: Left-hand aptitude and fast scoring
What she brings: Bhatia disrupts bowling plans with elegant drives versus tempo, providing left-right steadiness within the engine room. Her fast 500+ WPL runs stabilize collapses or ignite accelerations. Backup conserving provides squad versatility.
5. Ashleigh Gardner (C, Abroad)
Function: Center-order all-rounder
Energy: Spin wizardry and six-hitting
What she brings: Gardner orchestrates center overs through off-spin management and explosive counters, turning video games with all-round dominance. Captaincy instincts optimize discipline settings and bowling modifications dynamically. Playoff pedigree delivers below knockout lights.
6. Bharti Fulmali
Function: Center-order batter
Energy: Composed anchoring below strain
What she brings: Fulmali rebuilds innings methodically on slowing tracks with sensible singles and selective dangers. Her SR 120 cameos rescue top-order woes successfully. Home nous enhances abroad stars seamlessly.
7. Kashvee Gautam
Function: Decrease-order all-rounder
Energy: Seam swing and lower-order hitting
What she brings: Gautam’s new-ball swing extracts edges early, pairing with lower-order cameos for late momentum. Her econ 5.30 exploits Powerplays ruthlessly. Youthful power uplifts group morale.
8. Tanuja Kanwar
Function: Left-arm spinner
Energy: Flighted management and wickets
What she brings: Kanwar chokes scoring with flighted temptations on turners, constructing strain by way of dots. Her 7 WPL wickets complement tempo assaults completely. Economic system kings center overs.
9. Renuka Singh Thakur
Function: Lead pacer
Energy: Swing and accuracy
What she brings: Renuka swings the brand new ball to dismantle opens, following with demise yorkers. Worldwide pedigree shines in huge moments. Econ below 6 units tone.
10. Titas Sadhu
Function: Tempo bowler
Energy: Uncooked pace and bounce
What she brings: Sadhu’s specific tempo extracts bounce to unsettle batters mid-innings. Variations bother left-handers successfully. Rising risk builds overs.
11. Rajeshwari Gayakwad
Function: Left-arm orthodox spinner
Energy: Economical variations and middle-over management
What she brings: Gayakwad strangles run charges with delicate activate grippy decks, forming spin blockades. WPL thrift (econ 6.5) forces errors. Expertise guides children.
Additionally READ: WPL 2026: Mumbai Indians’ best playing XI for the Women’s Premier League
This text was first revealed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times firm.
