Gujarat Giants have shifted their retention strategy significantly ahead of the WPL 2027 auction scheduled for October 28 in Kochi. The franchise retained 15 players and released only four, the fewest of any team, leaving three spots to fill with a purse of Rs 1.25 crore. This marks a stark contrast to the 2024 season, when Michael Klinger‘s first year as head coach saw the Giants finish fifth and offload 11 players from their squad.
Klinger took over as head coach in February 2024, replacing Rachael Haynes. The Giants finished third in the inaugural WPL cycle, then improved to second place in the league stage of WPL 2026. The coach has outlined the philosophy driving this new approach to retention, emphasising that management backing and squad continuity form the foundation of the Giants’ plan to improve on their recent performances.
“Our management and CEO trust us to do our jobs, whether that’s in an auction, whether that’s preparing teams. That’s been helpful for all the staff to be able to come into each year knowing that we can have open conversations and make decisions and know that we’ll be back,” said Klinger in a media interaction as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Bowling identified as key improvement area
The Giants are preparing for the WPL 2027 auction with an off-season camp underway in Bengaluru. Klinger is overseeing preparations as the team looks to strengthen specific areas identified from the previous season’s data and performance review. Bowling emerged as a key focus area for improvement, with the Giants yet to reach a WPL final despite their recent progress. Klinger identified the bowling unit as a priority for enhancement.
“Probably that’s one area looking at data and statistical information from last season where we can improve. I think we’ve got the personnel and a couple of players putting their hand up to maybe get opportunities there this year that will help us get some more quality over,” said Klinger.
The squad composition reflects confidence in existing players. Klinger highlighted the strength of the retained group, noting the quality of overseas players and the motivation of domestic performers. The franchise retained Yastika Bhatia despite her unavailability due to knee surgery, a decision Klinger described as strengthening the squad and providing flexibility with overseas player combinations.
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“We’ve got players who have bought into what we’re trying to do at Gujarat Giants. We’ve got a great list of overseas players who [are] not only great on-field playing, but they’re good people off the field, which is really important in a franchise setup. And then some really motivated domestic players who want to do well to help us win, but also progress their own careers,” Klinger said.
“I thought [Yastika] was a really good buy for us in the last auction, even knowing [that] she wasn’t going to be available. That really strengthens our squad and our starting XI this year. It gives us options with our overseas players as well,” he added.
Kashvee Gautam, another player managing injury recovery, is currently at the BCCI Centre of Excellence and has started bowling regularly, with a likely return expected mid-to-late October. Titas Sadhu was released due to injury concerns but has been invited to the ongoing camp. The Giants’ retention of players dealing with rehabilitation reflects the franchise’s longer-term planning approach.
Danni Wyatt-Hodge was among the four released players, with the decision driven by overseas combinations and potential scheduling conflicts with England’s international assignments. The WPL 2027 auction takes place two days after the start of the 2026-27 Indian women’s domestic season on October 26.
