Gujarat Giants have strengthened their coaching arsenal ahead of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026, roping in one of the finest cricketers the women’s game has ever seen, England legend Sarah Taylor.
Taylor, regarded globally as one of the greatest keeper-batters of all time, joins the Giants’ coaching staff after previously being associated with their sister franchise, the Gulf Giants, in the ILT20, where she served as an assistant coach. Her transition into the WPL ecosystem marks another significant step in the growing influence of elite former women cricketers within top-tier coaching setups.
Sarah Taylor’s playing career is etched into the history of England women’s cricket. Known for her composure with the bat and unmatched brilliance behind the stumps, Taylor was a central figure in some of England’s most iconic triumphs.
She played a key role in England’s historic World Cup and World T20 double in 2009, and later became a cornerstone of the team that lifted the ICC Women’s World Cup at home in 2017. On that unforgettable run, Taylor produced crucial innings of 54 in the semi-final against South Africa and 45 in the final against India, delivering when it mattered most on the biggest stage.
While her batting often rose to the occasion, it was her wicketkeeping that truly set her apart from her contemporaries. Taylor’s glovework earned admiration not just within the women’s game, but across cricket as a whole. In 2018, legendary Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist famously described her as, “The best wicketkeeper in the world at the moment – male or female.”
In Women’s T20 Internationals, Taylor scored 2177 runs, showcasing her reliability and adaptability in the shortest format, a skill set that aligns perfectly with the demands of the WPL. Taylor’s appointment is a significant boost for Gujarat Giants as they look to build a strong, tactically sound unit for WPL 2026.
