'It's the strongest squad that we've ever had': Gardner optimistic of Giants' chances

The night of February 14, 2025 wasn't as romantic as Gujarat Giants would've hoped for.

After having plundered 201 for 5 on the opening night of the season, on the back of the newly-appointed skipper Ash Gardner's 37-ball 79*, they were en route to a winning start in the new season's tournament opener. Having won only two games in each of the first two seasons, a new script promised to unfold. Needing to defend 79 runs off the last six overs, that change of fate was in sight until a familiar script played out.

Richa Ghosh, dropped on 0, came and took their bowlers to the cleaners with a 27-ball 64*. The defending champions RCB didn't just cruise to the highest successful chase in WPL history, but completed a demolition of the total, with a victory that came with nine balls to spare. Another promised victory was snatched away from the Giants ruthlessly.

With only one win in the first four games of the last season, Gujarat Giants didn't promise much of a change to their patterns. Their failure to take regulation catches, over-dependence on foreign players, and the inexperienced Indian core continued to impact their attempt at revival.

But slowly, after being pushed into the deep end, the Indian players started to emerge from the shadows of their much-celebrated overseas teammates last season. Kashvee Gautam and Tanuja Kanwar led the way with 11 and 8 wickets respectively as Gujarat went on a three-match winning spree to secure a place in the playoffs for the first time.

Nearly a year later, that loss against RCB, and the lessons from it still linger with the skipper as Giants prepare for their 2026 campaign. "(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 ahead of Giants' 2026 WPL campaign, 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 momentum in the tournament promised better times for Giants, who are now eyeing a place in the final - if not the title victory itself. To bolster their confidence, the rejigging of the squad with the mega auctions has come at an appropriate time for them.

Giants made some big purchases by securing the services of Sophie Devine, Renuka Thakur, Titas Sadhu, Georgia Wareham, Yastika Bhatia and Danni Wyatt-Hidge among others.

"The reset for us was a slighter advantage," Michael Klinger, the head coach of Gujarat Giants confessed to Cricbuzz. 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."

"I'm involved with some other tournaments around the world (The Hundred, Major League Cricket, previously in BBL and WBBL, etc), and I think In any franchise tournament, it's a good idea to reset after a few seasons. You need to keep a block with the same players because you obviously want to build the brand as well. The auction allowed us to retain and get back some players at the auction that we wanted.

"With the mega auctions, you lose some of those players. In some aspects, we are starting fresh again. What we tried to do was retain the core players - both overseas and local - from last season because of that success. Obviously, bringing in some new talent, we think we have got the right blend. Obviously going into any auction, if you get 85-90 percent of what you ask, there will always be a couple you will miss out on. But every team would be in that same situation. We are really happy with the blend we have got."

Reiterating the words of her coach, Gardner - one of the few players who has been a part of the Giants squad since inception - added that it's the strongest squad the side has assembled so far.

"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 squad rejig, the core issue for Giants is likely to continue this season - with heavy dependence on overseas batters. Gardner does not deny that, but believes it's a larger trend in the tournament.

"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.

"Certainly we would have loved a more experienced Indian batter, but they're all aligned to other teams and there's plenty of youth within our side, and I guess it's about exposing them to the highest level as well, knowing that they've got so much experience around them. So yes, we might not have the likes of Harman or Smriti within our side, but we have to win with who we've got, and I think that we've got a fantastic squad this year, so there's no reason that we can't win."

Without revealing the specifics, Gardner added, "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."

The turnaround time has usually been short for teams in WPL. Even as there is a new setup in place, with players from four countries to bond, Klinger is largely pleased with the bonding and preparation this time, where the squad has got nearly two weeks to familiarise themselves and train with a plan in place. For Gardner, who had been tested by India's weather and food while closing out her season, the shift in playing window also means cricket in far kinder climes.

The relaxed confidence is palpable, and so is the hope of a better showing to break the hegemony of Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals - the two teams that have been delivering with the kind of consistency that Klinger aspires for from his team. The results of the prep are awaiting.