Gujarat Giants Complete Squad for WPL 2027 with Key Signings
Gujarat Giants Finalize Squad for WPL 2027
The Gujarat Giants have officially finalized their roster for the 2027 Women’s Premier League (WPL) after acquiring three new players during the auction held in Kochi on Wednesday. Owned by Adani Sportsline, the franchise entered the auction with 15 players retained, having invested Rs 13.75 crore in their retention strategy. With three positions to fill, including one for an international player, and a remaining budget of Rs 1.25 crore, the team aimed to meet specific needs within their lineup. The retained players include Anushka Sharma, Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Bharti Fulmali, Georgia Wareham, Happy Kumari, Jintimani Kalita, Kanika Ahuja, Kashvee Gautam, Kim Garth, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh, Sophie Devine, Tanuja Kanwer, and Yastika Bhatia, as stated in a press release.
New Signings Enhance Team Dynamics
During the auction, the Giants successfully acquired G Kamalini, Orla Prendergast, and Samaira Raghav, bringing their total squad size to 18 players. These new additions are expected to enhance the team's batting strength, provide a solid all-round option, and add explosive hitting capabilities to the middle order. G Kamalini, a talented left-handed batter from Tamil Nadu, was the third-highest run-scorer at the 2024-25 ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup and was signed for Rs 40 lakh. Orla Prendergast, an all-rounder from Ireland, joins as a middle-order batter and right-arm medium pacer for Rs 30 lakh. Sixteen-year-old Samaira Raghav, known for her explosive batting with a strike rate of 200, was acquired at her base price of Rs 10 lakh.
Insights from Coaching and Management
Head Coach Michael Klinger expressed that the preseason camp in Bengaluru was instrumental in evaluating the squad and pinpointing areas for enhancement. He noted that the new signings bring a mix of aggressive batting, all-round capabilities, and explosive power, which will bolster the team's options for the upcoming season. Klinger stated, "The players performed well last season, providing a solid foundation for us to build upon. Our preseason camp allowed us to assess the squad and identify necessary improvements. Kamalini offers aggressive batting throughout the order, Orla adds quality as a wicket-taking medium pacer, and Samaira brings explosive power to the middle order. These new players complement our retained squad, giving us more strategic options. We are excited about how the team has come together and look forward to the upcoming season."
Management's Vision for the Future
Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer of Adani Sportsline, commented, "We approached the auction with a strong core of retained players and a clear vision of our squad's needs. We are thrilled with our new acquisitions. Each player—G Kamalini, Orla Prendergast, and Samaira Raghav—brings unique strengths, whether it’s aggression at the top, all-round quality, or fearless hitting in the middle order. Our focus is on discovering and nurturing young talent. Players like Kashvee Gautam, Anushka Sharma, and Happy Kumari showcase the effectiveness of our scouting program, and we are optimistic that 16-year-old Samaira will be the next standout. Our goal is to create a team that plays fearless cricket and contributes to the growth of women's cricket in Gujarat and nationwide."
Previous Performance and Squad Overview
In the previous season, the Gujarat Giants secured second place in the group stage of the 2026 WPL, winning five out of eight matches before advancing to the Eliminator. The franchise aims to build on this success in the upcoming season.
Gujarat Giants Squad for WPL 2027
Retained players: Anushka Sharma, Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Bharti Fulmali, Georgia Wareham, Happy Kumari, Jintimani Kalita, Kanika Ahuja, Kashvee Gautam, Kim Garth, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh, Sophie Devine, Tanuja Kanwer, and Yastika Bhatia.
Auction acquisitions: G Kamalini, Orla Prendergast, and Samaira Raghav.
Total squad strength: 18 players.