Ahead of the 2026 season of the WPL, Gujarat Giants, along with the other teams, have begun their preparations. They will face UP Warriorz, led by Meg Lanning, on 10 January at 3:30 pm in their opening fixture. Gujarat Giants will be led by Ashley Gardner, who has recently taken over the captaincy from Beth Mooney, with Michael Klinger continuing as head coach. However, as seen in previous seasons, the team has been heavily reliant on the performances of its overseas players, particularly Gardner and Mooney. Gardner has played 25 matches for the franchise, scoring 567 runs and taking 25 wickets, while Mooney has amassed 518 runs in 22 matches. This overdependence adds considerable pressure on both players.
Mooney led the team to their first-ever playoffs in the 2025 season, but the side’s success has largely hinged on her consistency at the top and Gardner’s all-round contributions. Gardner, an off-spin all-rounder, shoulders significant responsibility in the bowling unit alongside Renuka Singh Thakur, Sophie Devine, Kim Garth, Titas Sadhu and Kashvee Gautam.
With Renuka being a key pace option, Titas and Kashvee have an opportunity to develop under experienced international players. However, if the team management opts for an all-overseas pace attack featuring players like Kim Garth or Sophie Devine, these young Indian bowlers risk missing out on game time. It is also worth noting that if Gardner or any other overseas player is injured, the team could find itself in a difficult position, having not groomed enough domestic players for leadership roles. At the start of the 2023 season, Sneh Rana had to step in as captain after Mooney suffered an injury. With several senior domestic players no longer part of the squad, it is likely that an overseas player would again take charge in such circumstances.
While the WPL provides grassroots players with a platform to interact with and learn from international stars, problems arise when domestic players are overshadowed by them. History suggests that if Mooney fails to provide a solid start, the middle order often crumbles under pressure. To address this, Sophie Devine has been added to the squad for the 2026 season. The Giants have also attempted to create a pathway for Indian youngsters by signing players such as Anushka Sharma, Kashvee Gautam, Titas Sadhu and Tanuja Kanwer.
Bowling coach Pravin Tambe will play a crucial role in bridging the communication gap between young Indian players and the overseas core. Earlier, with Mithali Raj as mentor, domestic players benefited from having an Indian icon to guide them. Sneh Rana, a former Railways captain, also provided leadership familiarity within the domestic circuit. However, with Michael Klinger, an Australian, as head coach, the franchise’s emphasis on international experience has remained consistent since the tournament’s inception.
For sustained success, it is vital that domestic players are given equal responsibility rather than being used merely to fill gaps around overseas stars. The environment within Gujarat Giants appears positive, and it will be interesting to see how they balance experience and development as they chase their maiden WPL title.
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