With the Women’s Premier League, WPL 2026 just days away, the Gujarat Giants have begun their final phase of preparation by grounding themselves in belief and balance.
On Monday morning, the Adani Sportsline-owned franchise visited Mumbai’s revered Siddhivinayak Temple, seeking blessings as they prepare to embark on a season that carries both expectation and opportunity. The visit was attended by Head Coach Michael Klinger, Bowling Coach Pravin Tambe, and players Tanuja Kanwar, Bharti Fulmali and Ayushi Soni, alongside Video Analyst Saurabh Walkar and Sanjay Adesara, Chief Business Officer, Adani Sportsline. It was a moment away from the rigours of nets and team meetings one that allowed the group to pause, reflect and realign ahead of the campaign that begins on January 9 in Navi Mumbai.
For the Gujarat Giants, the temple visit was symbolic rather than ceremonial. After two seasons of building and recalibration, the franchise finally broke through in WPL 2025, reaching the playoffs for the first time. That run altered both perception and internal belief. No longer viewed as a side in transition, the Giants now enter WPL 2026 as a team that has learned how to compete deep into the tournament.
That evolution has shaped the tone of their pre-season camp in Mumbai, where preparations are currently in full swing. Training sessions have focused on clarity defined roles, settled combinations and sharper execution rather than wholesale experimentation. The emphasis, as members of the setup have stressed, is on taking the next competitive step, not merely replicating last season’s achievements.
Head coach Michael Klinger, who has overseen the side’s gradual rise, has consistently highlighted consistency as the next frontier. The Giants showed last season that they can match the league’s best on their day. The challenge now lies in sustaining that level across the length of a demanding WPL schedule, where margins are thin and recovery time is limited.
The presence of Pravin Tambe in the coaching group continues to add tactical depth, particularly in bowling strategy and match-ups. With surfaces across venues expected to vary, adaptability will be key, and the Giants’ think tank has spent considerable time mapping scenarios rather than just focusing on personnel.
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Players like Tanuja Kanwar and Bharti Fulmali represent the core of the Giants’ Indian contingent cricketers who have grown alongside the franchise and are increasingly comfortable carrying responsibility. Younger players such as Ayushi Soni, meanwhile, underline the team’s commitment to developing depth beyond marquee names, a factor that proved decisive during last season’s playoff push.
The Mumbai camp has also allowed the side to reconnect after a long off-season. Team cohesion, often underestimated, is a priority for a franchise that has consciously invested in continuity rather than constant churn. Familiarity within the squad has translated into better communication on the field, something the Giants believe can be the difference in close contests.
All eyes will now turn to January 10, when Gujarat Giants open their WPL 2026 campaign against UP Warriorz at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. The opener presents an immediate test against a well-matched opponent and an opportunity to set the tone for the season. Starting strongly has been identified as a non-negotiable objective, especially in a tournament where early momentum often shapes qualification scenarios.
Beyond results, there is a noticeable shift in narrative around the Giants. Where earlier seasons were about establishing identity, WPL 2026 is about ambition. Internally, the language has moved from “progress” to “contention.” The playoff breakthrough has raised expectations—not just among fans, but within the dressing room itself.
The visit to Siddhivinayak, then, was not about seeking miracles. It was about anchoring belief, acknowledging the journey so far, and preparing mentally for what lies ahead. As the Gujarat Giants step into WPL 2026, they do so with faith in their process, focus on execution, and a clear understanding that the hardest part of growth is sustaining success.
The league begins soon. The reset is complete.
For Gujarat Giants, the next chapter is no longer about arrival it is about how far they can go.
