Gujarat Giants' WPL 2026 Squad Reveal: Why Coach Klinger Is "Really Happy"

Gujarat Giants Head Coach Michael Klinger is thrilled with their WPL 2026 auction results. The team made strategic purchases including Sophie Devine and Renuka Singh. They successfully re-acquired key players using their RTM cards during the accelerated auction. The final squad features a balanced mix of international stars and promising domestic talent.

Key Points: Gujarat Giants Coach Michael Klinger Happy With WPL 2026 Squad

  • Giants secured New Zealand legend Sophie Devine for Rs 2 crore as marquee purchase
  • Renuka Singh joins after key role in India's ICC World Cup triumph
  • Team used RTM cards to re-acquire Bharti Fulmali and Kashvee Gautam
  • Australian star Georgia Wareham returns to Giants after RCB stint
3 min read

Happy with the squad we got: GG Head Coach Michael Klinger after WPL auction

Gujarat Giants Head Coach Michael Klinger expresses satisfaction with the team's WPL 2026 auction picks, highlighting a strong mix of overseas and local talent.

"We're really happy with the squad we got. We've picked a great mix of overseas and local players - Michael Klinger"

New Delhi, November 28

Gujarat Giants Head Coach Michael Klinger expressed his enthusiasm with the Giants squad for the upcoming Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026, praising the mix of overseas and local players. He believes the team has a strong balance and a terrific starting XI.

GG assembled a strong squad at the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 auction held in Delhi on Thursday. Gujarat Giants opened their auction with a marquee purchase, securing New Zealand legend Sophie Devine for Rs 2 crore. Renuka Singh, who played an integral role in India's recent ICC World Cup triumph, became the franchise's second buy, picked up for Rs 60 lakh.

Batter Bharti Fulmali was re-acquired for Rs 70 lakh as the Giants exercised their first RTM, while Titas Sadhu was added to the squad for Rs 30 lakh.

"We're really happy with the squad we got. We've picked a great mix of overseas and local players, and we will be going into the tournament in January with a really strong option and a great team to choose our starting eleven from... I think our balance is great... Unfortunately, many good players got unsold tonight. To be honest, if you look at our squad and our attentions, we had Beth Mooney, who's a keeper-batter. So there was less intent for us to look for another keeper batter," Gujarat Giants Head Coach Michael Klinger told ANI.

In the accelerated auction, the Giants used their second RTM to re-acquire Kashvee Gautam for Rs 65 lakh. They then secured three consecutive signings: Kanika Ahuja (Rs 30 lakh), Tanuja Kanwar (Rs 45 lakh), and Georgia Wareham (Rs 1 crore).

Kanwar has been with the franchise since the inaugural edition. Australian star Wareham, who made her WPL debut with Gujarat before winning the title with RCB in 2024 and featuring for them again in 2025, now returns to the Giants. Gujarat Giants picked up Kim Garth for Rs 50 lakh, while Vadodara-born Yastika Bhatia was acquired for the same amount.

They further strengthened their roster with domestic talents Anushka Sharma (Rs 45 lakh), Happy Kumari (Rs 10 lakh) and Shivani Singh (Rs 10 lakh). Gujarat Giants concluded the auction by securing experienced players Danielle Wyatt-Hodge for Rs 50 lakh and Rajeshwari Gayakwad for Rs 40 lakh, along with promising domestic talent Ayushi Soni for Rs 30 lakh.

Gujarat Giants full squad for WPL 2026:

Ashleigh Gardner - All-rounder - Rs 3.50 CroreBeth Mooney - WK-Batter - Rs 2.50 croreSophie Devine - Allrounder - Rs 2 croreRenuka Singh Thakur - Bowler - Rs 60 lakhBharti Fulmali - Batter - Rs 70 lakh (RTM)Titas Sadhu - Batter - Rs 30 lakhKashvee Gautam - Allrounder - Rs 65 lakh (RTM)Kanika Ahuja - Allrounder - Rs 30 lakhTanuja Kanwar - Allrounder - Rs 45 lakhGeorgia Wareham - Allrounder - Rs 1 croreAnushka Sharma - Allrounder - Rs 45 lakhHappy Kumari - Bowler - Rs 10 lakhKim Garth - Allrounder - Rs 50 lakhYastika Bhatia - WK-Batter - Rs 50 lakhShivani Singh - WK Batter - Rs 10 lakh Danielle Wyatt-Hodge - Batter - Rs 50 lakhRajeshwari Gayakwad - Bowler Rs 40 lakhAyushi Soni - Allrounder - Rs 30 lakh.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Happy to see local talents like Yastika Bhatia and Renuka getting good opportunities. The mix of experienced internationals and young Indian players looks balanced. WPL is doing wonders for women's cricket in India!
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Sarah B
While the squad looks good on paper, I'm a bit concerned about the batting depth. Hope they have enough firepower in the middle order. But Devine and Mooney at the top should be exciting to watch!
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Rohit P
Georgia Wareham returning to GG is brilliant! She was amazing in RCB's title win. And getting Kashvee Gautam back with RTM shows they value domestic talent. Solid team building! 💪
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Michael C
The price for Bharti Fulmali seems a bit high at 70 lakhs compared to other domestic players. Hope she justifies that investment. Otherwise, decent auction for GG.
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Ananya R
So proud to see young talents like Happy Kumari and Shivani Singh getting picked for just 10 lakhs each! WPL is creating amazing opportunities for upcoming cricketers across India. Jai Hind! 🙏

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