The Gujarat Giants, owned by Adani Sportsline, revealed their retained players ahead of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 Mega Auction scheduled for November 27 in New Delhi. After a breakthrough 2025 season marked by their first playoff appearance, the franchise has chosen to retain two key overseas players: captain Ashleigh Gardner and wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney.
By securing Gardner and Mooney, the Giants emphasize building around a seasoned core. The team enters the auction with two retentions, three Right-to-Match (RTM) cards, a budget of 9 crore rupees, and 16 available squad slots.
Gujarat Giants have steadily improved after challenging starts, finishing last in both 2023 and 2024 seasons with just four points each year. Their remarkable progress in 2025 saw them place third in the league stage with four wins and four losses. Guided by Gardner's leadership, they advanced to the knockouts for the first time before being eliminated by Harmanpreet Kaur’s Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator match.
"The franchise’s turnaround season, built on character and cohesion, now forms the foundation of their reconstruction strategy ahead of the league’s first-ever mega auction."
This retention and strategy highlight the Giants' commitment to a consistent and evolving team structure.
Summary: Gujarat Giants retain Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney to anchor their squad as they prepare for the WPL 2026 Mega Auction, continuing their steady rise since early struggles.