WPL 2027: Gujarat Giants finalise 18-player squad after Kochi mini-auction featuring Ashleigh Gardner and Bharati Fulmali

Gujarat Giants completed their 18-player squad for the Women’s Premier League 2027 after making three signings at the mini auction in Kochi on October 28. The franchise entered the auction with ₹1.25 crore in their purse and three vacancies to fill, including one overseas slot.

The Giants targeted specific reinforcements rather than overhauling the roster, adding an Indian wicketkeeper-batter, an international all-rounder and an uncapped Indian prospect to round out the squad. Ashleigh Gardner remains the side’s captain and the auction additions were intended to supplement the existing group.

G Kamalini was purchased for ₹40 lakh to provide another wicketkeeping and batting option, while Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast was acquired for ₹30 lakh and became the first Irish player to be selected in a WPL auction. The franchise completed its buys by signing uncapped Indian all-rounder Samaira Raghav at her base price of ₹10 lakh, leaving ₹45 lakh in their purse.

The assembled roster combines overseas and domestic experience. Beth Mooney is listed as a wicketkeeper with international experience behind the stumps, and overses signings Sophie Devine and Georgia Wareham augment the Giants’ foreign contingent. Indian seamers and spinners such as Renuka Singh Thakur, Kashvee Gautam and Rajeshwari Gayakwad feature to deepen the bowling attack.

Squad by role — Batters: Bharati Fulmali, Anushka Sharma, Kanika Ahuja. All-rounders: Ashleigh Gardner, Sophie Devine, Georgia Wareham, Orla Prendergast, Jintimani Kalita, Samaira Raghav. Wicketkeepers: Beth Mooney, Yastika Bhatia, G Kamalini. Bowlers: Kashvee Gautam, Renuka Singh Thakur, Kim Garth, Tanuja Kanwar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Happy Kumari.

With the squad now finalised, Gujarat Giants will prepare for WPL 2027, which is scheduled to run from January 14 to February 7.