Gujarat Giants Complete WPL 2027 Squad with Focus on Young Talent and All-Round Strength

Gujarat Giants have completed their squad for the 2027 Women’s Premier League (WPL) season after securing three players at the auction in Kochi on Wednesday. 

The Adani Sportsline-owned franchise signed G. Kamalini, Ireland’s Orla Prendergast and 16-year-old Samaira Raghav, taking its squad strength to 18 players. With a strong retained core and three specific additions, Gujarat Giants focused on strengthening their batting options and adding an overseas all-rounder. The franchise entered the auction with 15 retained players, three available slots and ₹1.25 crore remaining in its purse. Having filled all three positions, the Giants have now finalised their squad for the upcoming season.

The team's approach reflects its stated emphasis on identifying emerging players and developing young talent, alongside maintaining a competitive group capable of building on last season's performance.

Gujarat Giants' first major addition was Tamil Nadu batter G. Kamalini, who was acquired for ₹40 lakh. The left-handed top-order batter finished as the third-highest run-scorer at the 2024-25 ICC Women's Under-19 T20 World Cup. Her ability to contribute at the top of the order gives the Giants another option in their batting line-up.

Ireland's international Orla Prendergast joined the franchise for ₹30 lakh. A right-arm medium pacer and middle-order batter, Prendergast offers the kind of all-round ability that can strengthen the team's balance. Her inclusion provides Gujarat with an overseas option capable of contributing in both departments.

The third signing was 16-year-old Samaira Raghav, who was picked at her base price of ₹10 lakh. An explosive middle-order batter with a reported strike rate of 200, Samaira represents the franchise's investment in young Indian talent.

Together, the three acquisitions address different requirements. Kamalini adds top-order aggression, Prendergast brings an overseas all-round option, while Samaira offers attacking potential in the middle order.

Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer of Adani Sportsline, said the franchise entered the auction with a clear understanding of the areas it wanted to strengthen. “We entered the auction with a strong retained core and a clear idea of what the squad needed. We are pleased with the players we have brought in. G. Kamalini, Orla Prendergast and Samaira Raghav each add something specific, whether it is aggression at the top, all-round quality or fearless hitting in the middle order,” Adesara said.

He also highlighted the franchise's focus on identifying and nurturing young cricketers, pointing to Kashvee Gautam, Anushka Sharma and Happy Kumari as examples of the scouting programme. “Our belief is in unearthing young talents and nurturing them,” he said, expressing hope that Samaira could become the next young player to benefit from the franchise's development approach.

Adesara added that the objective was to build a team that plays fearless cricket while contributing to the growth of women's cricket in Gujarat and across the country. The signing of Samaira is particularly consistent with that philosophy. At 16, she will have the opportunity to develop within a squad that includes experienced international players and established Indian cricketers.

Head coach Michael Klinger was also pleased with the way the squad came together at the auction. The former Australian international said the franchise had used its pre-season camp in Bengaluru to assess the existing group and identify areas that needed strengthening.

“The players did well last season and gave us a strong foundation to build on. Our preseason camp in Bengaluru helped us assess the squad and identify the areas we needed to strengthen,” Klinger said. He described Kamalini as an aggressive batting option who could contribute throughout the order, while highlighting Prendergast's all-round quality and wicket-taking potential with her medium pace.

On Samaira, Klinger pointed to the teenager's explosive batting as an important addition to the middle order. “The new signings complement our retained players and give us more options. We are pleased with how the squad have come together and look forward to the season ahead,” he added.

The coach's comments suggest that Gujarat have prioritised flexibility rather than making wholesale changes to a squad that delivered a competitive campaign in 2026.

Building on a Strong 2026 Campaign

Gujarat Giants finished second in the group stage of the 2026 WPL, winning five of their eight matches before progressing to the Eliminator. That performance provided a foundation for the franchise to build on, and retaining 15 players reflects its confidence in the existing group. The auction additions are intended to improve the team's options without disrupting the core.

The retained squad includes international names such as Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth and Sophie Devine, alongside Indian players including Renuka Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Kashvee Gautam and Yastika Bhatia.

With Kamalini, Prendergast and Samaira completing the group, Gujarat now have a full squad of 18 players 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.

Gujarat Giants have entered the final stages of their preparations with a squad built around continuity, all-round depth and emerging talent. The challenge now will be to translate that balance into results and take the next step after reaching the 2026 Eliminator.