What was meant to mark a new beginning for Gujarat Giants on February 14, 2025, it became another painful reminder of how quickly momentum can slip away in the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
On the opening night of the season, the Giants posted a formidable 201 for 5, powered by a breathtaking 37-ball unbeaten 79 from newly appointed captain Ash Gardner. After winning just two matches in each of their first two WPL seasons, the signs pointed toward a fresh narrative. Defending 79 runs from the final six overs, Gujarat appeared firmly in control, until history repeated itself.
Richa Ghosh, reprieved on zero, turned the contest on its head with a stunning 27-ball 64*. Royal Challengers Bengaluru not only pulled off the highest successful chase in WPL history but did so with nine balls to spare, ruthlessly snatching victory from Gujarat’s grasp and reinforcing a familiar sense of deja Vu.
That defeat settled the team for another uneven season. With just one win in their first four matches, Gujarat’s recurring issues resurfaced, missed chances in the field, an over-reliance on overseas stars, and an Indian core still finding its feet under pressure.
Yet, as the tournament progressed, signs of evolution began to emerge. Indian players who had previously remained in the shadows stepped up when it mattered most. Kashvee Gautam and Tanuja Kanwar led the bowling attack with 11 and eight wickets respectively, inspiring a three-match winning streak that carried Gujarat Giants into the playoffs for the first time in their WPL history.
Almost a year on, that loss to RCB still serves as a reference point as Gujarat prepare for their 2026 campaign. Speaking ahead of the season, Captain Gardner stressed the importance of execution in crucial moments.
“(This season) it’s about making sure that you do the small things right and being able to do that for longer periods,” Gardner said on Tuesday. “We put ourselves in a lot of winning positions last year. Some we won, some we didn’t.
“If I reflect back on the first game we played against RCB, we were in the box seat for probably 90 per cent of that game, and then obviously Richa does what Richa did, and she played a fantastic knock. But it’s about making sure that if we’re put in those positions again, we know what to do. It’s about being able to plan and make sure that we’ve got the plans right before we actually step out onto the field.”
The late surge last season has fuelled belief within the camp that greater consistency and perhaps even a title challenge, is now within reach. The timing of the mega auction, too, worked in Gujarat’s favour, offering an opportunity to reshape the squad with intent.
The Giants invested heavily, bringing in proven match-winners such as Sophie Devine, Renuka Thakur, Titas Sadhu, Georgia Wareham, Yastika Bhatia and Danni Wyatt-Hodge, significantly bolstering both depth and experience.
Reflecting on the auction process, head coach Michael Klinger acknowledged the advantages of a reset while emphasising continuity. “The reset for us was a slighter advantage.” But he added, “Had it been a smaller auction as well, I would have been reasonably happy as well. Last year, we had built that momentum last year with the playing group.”
Gardner echoed her coach’s optimism, describing the current group as the most competitive Gujarat have assembled since the league’s inception. “We have a fantastic squad this year, which obviously going into the mega auction we knew that we needed to create a team that could lift the trophy at the end,” Gardner said. “And I certainly think that we’ve done that. It’s the strongest squad that we’ve ever had within the four years.”
Despite the revamped squad, one long-standing concern remains: Gujarat’s dependence on overseas batters. Gardner acknowledged the issue but framed it as a league-wide reality. “If you look at all the teams, I think the overseas do a lot of the heavy lifting in all regards. I don’t think it’s going to be any different for our side. Obviously, we have four or six fantastic players within our line-up, and the four that get the chance to play, we’ve got so much experience, which as an overseas you need playing in different conditions.”
Clarity of roles and execution, Gardner believes, will be key as the tournament grows more competitive. “For us, it’s about being able to nail down the things that we’re really good at, making sure that we’re really clear in our approach, which thankfully we’ve got quite a few of the same players from across the years. It makes it a little easier, but knowing that every team has gotten better as well. So making sure that we’re really clear in how we want to win and I guess what that looks like.”
Preparation this season has been notably smoother. Klinger has been encouraged by the cohesion, while Gardner has welcomed the more favourable playing conditions after enduring India’s demanding climate late last season. There is a quiet confidence surrounding the Giants camp, a sense that the gap separating them from perennial contenders Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals can finally be closed.
