With the Women’s Premier League, WPL 2026 entering its decisive phase, Adani Sportsline-owned Gujarat Giants find themselves firmly in the playoff conversation, despite a mixed start to the season.
Sitting on two wins and three losses after five matches, the Giants remain well aware that the margin for error is slim but equally conscious that their destiny is still in their own hands as they prepare for the final stretch of league fixtures at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.
Addressing the media in Vadodara on Tuesday, the Gujarat Giants camp struck a tone of calm resolve rather than urgency. Players and coaching staff reflected candidly on what has gone right, what has slipped, and why belief remains intact heading into their final three matches of the league stage.
For a side still shaping its identity in the league, the early part of the season was about finding clarity. Head coach Michael Klinger acknowledged that experimentation had been a necessary part of their journey so far. “Our initial strategy was to find the right combination, especially for our playing XI,” Klinger said. “We’ve spoken to the group about the brand of cricket we want to play and the targets we aim to achieve, both in Mumbai and now in Vadodara.”
That process showed early promise. Gujarat Giants opened their campaign with two solid victories, displaying balance with both bat and ball and hinting at a team capable of challenging any opponent on its day. However, the momentum did not fully carry through. Three successive losses, including one at home in Vadodara, exposed areas where execution dipped and pressure moments were not handled as cleanly.
“I felt we played some really good cricket in our first couple of games,” Klinger admitted. “But in the last three matches, we’ve fallen a little off the pace and haven’t played quite at our best. With three matches still to go, we remain very much in the competition. We will have to tweak our strategy slightly, especially with the playing conditions being different here.”
Those playing conditions have become a central theme of Gujarat’s recalibration. Kotambi Stadium’s surface, with its distinct soil composition and reduced bounce compared to venues in Mumbai, has forced bowlers and batters alike to rethink their approach. Senior pacer Renuka Singh emphasised the importance of adaptability, particularly for the bowling unit.
“The wicket here has been slightly different, with different soil and a bit less bounce,” Renuka explained. “As bowlers, we need to adjust quickly to the conditions. Hitting the right lengths becomes crucial, and it’s great to be playing in front of our home crowd, which gives us that extra energy.”
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Captain Ashleigh Gardner, a key figure in both leadership and performance, echoed the coach’s confidence while underlining the importance of staying grounded. For Gardner, the season has been about learning to manage fluctuations without losing direction.
“We’ve played some good cricket and some not-so-good cricket,” she said. “But it’s important to trust your preparation as individuals and as a team. We’re focused on building an environment where everyone is gelling well. For us, it’s about sticking to our processes and hopefully putting on stronger performances for our home crowd in these last three games.”
That emphasis on process over panic reflects a broader maturity within the group. Rather than overhauling plans mid-season, the Giants are intent on refining what they already have tightening their execution in key phases, improving fielding intensity, and being smarter in pressure moments.
One of the encouraging aspects of Gujarat’s campaign has been the emergence of young Indian talent. Debutant Anushka Sharma has been one of the bright spots of the season, slotting into a crucial role in the batting order and showing composure beyond her years. Speaking about her experience, Sharma highlighted the clarity she has received from the team management.
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“It’s been special so far,” she said. “I’ve been given a clear role and the opportunity to bat in my natural position at one down, which has helped my confidence. Every day has been a new learning experience for me.”
Her development underlines one of the Giants’ long-term objectives: not just chasing immediate results, but also building a core of players capable of sustaining success across seasons. As the playoff race tightens, that balance between urgency and patience will be tested.
From a standings perspective, the equation is straightforward but demanding. With three matches remaining, Gujarat Giants know that consistency—not brilliance in isolation—will determine their fate. Each game carries the weight of a knockout, especially with multiple teams clustered closely on the points table.
Their next fixture against UP Warriorz at Kotambi Stadium later this month looms large. A win would significantly strengthen their playoff chances, while a slip could leave them relying on results elsewhere. Yet, within the camp, the mood is one of cautious optimism rather than desperation.
The return to Vadodara, and the prospect of sustained home support, is seen as a potential catalyst. Players have repeatedly pointed to the energy of the crowd and the familiarity of conditions as factors that could help them regain momentum at the right time.
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As WPL 2026 heads into its most intense phase, Gujarat Giants are acutely aware of what lies ahead. They are not dominating headlines, nor are they chasing from an impossible position. Instead, they occupy that dangerous middle ground a team still very much alive, still believing, and still capable of shaping the playoff narrative if they execute when it matters most.
For Gujarat Giants, the message is clear: the competition is far from over, and the final chapter of their league campaign is yet to be written.
