Analysing the Gujarat Giants squad for WPL 2026 after their complete revamp at the WPL 2026 auction which could potentially drive them to a title win.
Gujarat Giants head into the Women’s Premier League 2026 carrying both momentum and uncertainty. After reaching the playoffs for the first time last season, the Giants have opted for a near-total reset, retaining just two players and rebuilding aggressively at the auction. The ambition is clear. Whether the balance is right remains the central question.
This Gujarat Giants squad for WPL 2026 analysis looks at where the team stands after a bold overhaul, the risks in their construction, and whether they have enough depth to challenge the league’s elite sides.
Where Gujarat Giants Finished Last Season
Gujarat Giants finished third in WPL 2025, qualifying for the knockouts for the first time in the competition’s history. Their campaign ended in the Eliminator, where they lost to Mumbai Indians, who went on to lift the title.
It was a breakthrough season, but also one that highlighted limitations in squad depth when the pressure increased.
What’s New for Gujarat Giants in WPL 2026
Almost everything.
Gujarat Giants retained only Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney, choosing to rebuild the rest of the squad from scratch at the WPL 2026 auction. Their biggest acquisition was Sophie Devine, signed for INR 2 crore, adding power and experience at the top of the order.
They strengthened their allround options with Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Kanika Ahuja and Ayushi Soni, while also bringing back their Indian core of Bharti Fulmali, Kashvee Gautam and Tanuja Kanwar, all of whom featured last season.
The batting group also includes Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Yastika Bhatia (injured), while the bowling attack has been reinforced with Indian quicks Renuka Singh and Titas Sadhu, along with left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad.
Who is Anushka Sharma, though? A 22-year-old batter, she is set to make a big impression in WPL 2026 for Gujarat Giants.
On paper, the squad looks deeper. In practice, the overseas combination has created new selection headaches.
Gujarat Giants Playing XI for WPL 2026 (Likely)
- Beth Mooney (wk)
- Sophie Devine
- Ashleigh Gardner (c)
- Bharti Fulmali
- Georgia Wareham
- Kanika Ahuja
- Ayushi Soni
- Kashvee Gautam
- Tanuja Kanwar
- Renuka Singh
- Titas Sadhu
Gujarat Giants WPL 2026 Overseas Players: Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, Ashleigh Gardner, Georgia Wareham
Strengths of the Gujarat Giants Squad
The biggest positive for Gujarat Giants is their top-order firepower.
Mooney, Devine and Gardner form one of the strongest top threes in the league. Devine adds aggression to a batting line-up that already had proven consistency in Mooney and all-round impact from Gardner. If these three deliver regularly, Gujarat can control powerplays and dictate games.
The bowling attack also looks significantly improved. Renuka Singh and Titas Sadhu add pace and penetration, while Wareham offers control and wicket-taking ability in the middle overs. Gardner, Kashvee Gautam and Tanuja Kanwar provide additional spin options, giving the Giants variety across phases.
The Batting Depth Problem
Despite the big names, this Gujarat Giants squad for WPL 2026 has a clear structural weakness: batting depth.
The team is heavily dependent on their overseas players in the top order. Once Mooney, Devine and Gardner are dismissed, the Indian middle and lower-middle order looks thin. Bharti Fulmali, Kanika Ahuja and Ayushi Soni are expected to step up, but none have consistently delivered at this level.
This lack of batting length also creates an overseas lock. Because the Indian batting options are limited, Gujarat are almost forced to play all three overseas batters in the top order, leaving little flexibility to rotate overseas bowlers or allrounders.
Can Gujarat Giants Play Danni Wyatt or Kim Garth?
This is where the selection puzzle becomes complicated.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge can play as a straight replacement for Sophie Devine if Gujarat want a similar power-hitting profile at the top. That switch is clean and role-specific.
Kim Garth, however, is far harder to fit in. While she adds bowling quality and allround value, her inclusion weakens an already fragile batting order unless Devine is dropped, and there are limited Indian batting options to cover that loss.
The problem is compounded by Yastika Bhatia’s injury, which further reduces Gujarat’s Indian batting depth and keeps the side reliant on overseas players for stability at the top.
Players to Watch for Gujarat Giants
Beth Mooney remains the Giants’ most reliable batter. She scored 1340 runs in 36 T20s last year and enters WPL 2026 after topping the WBBL run charts with an average of 45.75.
Ayushi Soni is one to track closely. After steady growth in domestic cricket and a strong Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal T20 Trophy, this will be her first extended run in the WPL spotlight.
Gujarat Giants WPL 2026 Fixtures
| Date | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Jan 10 | UP Warriorz |
| Jan 11 | Delhi Capitals |
| Jan 13 | Mumbai Indians |
| Jan 16 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Jan 19 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Jan 22 | UP Warriorz |
| Jan 27 | Delhi Capitals |
| Jan 30 | Mumbai Indians |
The double fixtures against RCB and MI will quickly test Gujarat’s batting depth under pressure.
Final Verdict
The Gujarat Giants squad for WPL 2026 is stronger than last season’s, but also more rigid. Their best XI is competitive, their bowling has improved, and their top order can dominate games. However, the lack of Indian batting depth and the resulting overseas lock leave them vulnerable if early wickets fall.
If their top three stay fit and in form, Gujarat Giants can push for another playoff spot. If not, the same structural issues that ended their 2025 campaign could resurface at the sharp end of the tournament.
