Gujarat Giants Finalize Squad for 2027 Women's Premier League with Key Signings

Gujarat Giants Complete Squad for WPL 2027

Kochi (Keralam) [India], October 28: The Gujarat Giants have finalized their roster for the 2027 Women's Premier League (WPL) by acquiring three new players during the auction held in Kochi on Wednesday.

The franchise, owned by Adani Sportsline, entered the auction with a solid foundation of 15 retained players, having invested Rs 13.75 crore in player retention. With three positions to fill, including one for an overseas player, and Rs 1.25 crore left in their budget, the team aimed to enhance specific areas of 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.

During the auction, the Giants successfully signed 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 reliable overseas all-rounder, and add explosive hitting capabilities to the middle order.

G Kamalini, a talented left-handed batter from Tamil Nadu and the third-highest run-scorer at the 2024-25 ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup, was acquired for Rs 40 lakh. Ireland's Orla Prendergast, an all-rounder who bats in the middle order and bowls right-arm medium pace, joined for Rs 30 lakh. Sixteen-year-old Samaira Raghav, known for her explosive batting with a strike rate of 200, was picked up at her base price of Rs 10 lakh.

Head Coach Michael Klinger remarked that the preseason camp in Bengaluru was instrumental in evaluating the squad and pinpointing areas needing improvement. He expressed confidence that the new signings—Kamalini, Orla, and Samaira—will bring aggressive batting and all-round capabilities, thereby bolstering the team's options for the upcoming season.

“The players performed admirably last season, providing a solid foundation for us to build upon. Our preseason camp in Bengaluru allowed us to assess the squad and identify necessary enhancements. Kamalini offers an aggressive option throughout the batting lineup, Orla brings valuable all-round skills as a wicket-taking medium pacer, and Samaira injects explosive power into the middle order. These new players complement our retained roster and expand our strategic options. We are excited about how the squad has come together and are eager for the upcoming season,” he stated.

Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer of Adani Sportsline, added, “We approached the auction with a strong core of retained players and a clear vision of our needs. We are thrilled with our new acquisitions. G Kamalini, Orla Prendergast, and Samaira Raghav each contribute unique strengths, whether it’s aggression at the top, all-round quality, or fearless hitting in the middle order. We are committed to discovering and nurturing young talent, as seen with players like Kashvee Gautam, Anushka Sharma, and Happy Kumari. We hope that 16-year-old Samaira will be the next standout. Our goal is to create a team that plays fearless cricket and promotes the growth of women's cricket in Gujarat and across the nation.”

Last season, the Gujarat Giants finished second 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 that 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.