gujarat giants less than before Women’s Premier League Title in 2025, exit in eliminator Mumbai Indians Despite strong playoff qualification. Now rebuilt with firepower, they launch a campaign against 2026 UP Warriors At a venue like the DY Patil Stadium on January 10, the aim is to dominate from the start. This revamped team is a mix of proven stars and emerging talent, establishing GG as a serious contender
Gujarat Giants’ chances increased due to change in team
Gujarat giants strategically strengthen their lineup after the auction as plucked all-round dynamo Sophie Devine For ₹2 crore, Kim Garth, Ayushi Soni, Georgia WarehamAnd Kanika Ahuja To add depth and versatility. He also got explosive batsman Danny Wyatt-Hodge and protector Yastika Bhatiaretaining the captain Ashley Gardner And beth mooney As original. domestic holdover Bharti Phoolmali, Tanuja KanwarAnd Kashvi Gautam Provide consistency with strengthening bowling Renuka Singh Thakur, Titas SadhuAnd with Wareham Gardner’s spin
Mooney hit peak form, topping the WBBL 2025-26 charts with nearly 500+ runs in 13 innings. Perth ScorchersShowcasing his anchoring ability with a strike rate of over 140. Captain Gardner, GG’s leading run-scorer wpl 2025 With 243 runs and 8 wickets at a strike rate of 164, mixing explosive middle-order hitting with off-spin control, he took them to the playoffs. These changes address previous weaknesses, creating a balanced unit poised for T20 dominance on a variety of Indian pitches
Also read: 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 (WK, Overseas)
Role: opening batter
Strength: unbreakable stability and strength
What she brings: Mooney laid the foundation of the powerplay with precise glovework and adaptive pace control, turning starts on seaming tracks into match-winning innings. His WBBL mastery ensures GG to score an equalizer under pressure or chase the target efficiently. Leadership in partnership stabilizes unstable top commands.
2. Sophie Devine (Expatriate)
Role: opening allrounder
Strength: Explosive start and medium pace attack
What she brings: Devine tore apart Fields with raw power and seam swing in the powerplay, putting pressure on defensive fields early on. His all-round utility covers middle-over successes and late hitting surges. Tactical flexibility to adapt seamlessly to pitch conditions.
3. Danny Wyatt-Hodge (Expatriate)
Role: top order batsman
Strength: Aggressive strokeplay and T20 pedigree
What she brings: Wyatt-Hodge accelerated with high cover against spin after the powerplay, saving a shaky start. His international experience gives him an astute understanding of cross-border attacks. Clutch performance flourishes when chasing on batting-friendly surfaces.
4. Yastika Bhatia
Role: Middle order batsman/backup keeper
Strength: Left handed nature and quick scoring
What she brings: Bhatia disrupts bowling plans with brilliant drive versus pace, providing left-right balance in the engine room. His rapid 500+ WPL runs stabilize the collapse or ignite the acceleration. Having a backup adds versatility to the squad.
5. Ashley Gardner (C, Overseas)
Role: middle order allrounder
Strength: spin magic and six hitting
What she brings: Gardner dominates the middle overs through off-spin control and explosive counters, turning games around with all-round dominance. Captaincy tends to adapt dynamically to field settings and bowling changes. Playoff lineage delivers under knockout lights.
6. Bharti Fulmali
Role: middle order batsman
Strength: Anchoring created under pressure
What she brings: Phulmali systematically rebuilt the innings on slow tracks with smart singles and selective risks. Its SR 120 Cameo effectively avoids the top-order problems. The domestic nous effortlessly complements the foreign stars.
7. Kashvi Gautam
Role: lower order all-rounder
Strength: Seam swing and lower order hitting
What she brings: Gowtham’s new-ball swing gets the edge early on, pairing with a lower-order cameo for late pace. His Ikon 5.30 exploits the powerplay ruthlessly. Youthful energy boosts the morale of the team.
8. Tanuja Kanwar
Role: left arm spinner
Strength: flight control and wicket
What she brings: Kanwar kept the scoring going with flying lures on the turners, creating pressure through the dots. His 7 WPL wickets complement the pace attack perfectly. Economy is king in the middle overs.
9.Renuka Singh Thakur
Role: lead pacer
Strength: swing and accuracy
What she brings: With a death yorker, Renuka swung the new ball to finish off the opening. International pedigree shines in the big moments. Icon with less than 6 tones.
10. Titas Sadhu
Role: fast bowler
Strength: raw speed and bounce
What she brings: Sadhu’s rapid pace unsettles the batsmen in the middle of the innings. Variations effectively irritate left-handers. Emerging threat creates overs.
11. Rajeshwari Gaikwad
Role: left arm orthodox spinner
Strength: Economic diversities and middle-class control
What she brings: Gaikwad disrupts the run rate with subtle turns on the grippy deck, creating spin blockade. WPL Thrift (Ekon 6.5) forces errors. Experience guides the youth.
Also read: WPL 2026: Mumbai Indians’ best playing XI for Women’s Premier League
This article was first published here WomenCricket.comA Cricket Times Company.