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

The night of February 14, 2025, was not a romantic one for Gujarat Giants. After posting 201 for 5 in their season opener, led by new skipper Ash Gardner's 37-ball 79*, they seemed poised for a winning start. Needing to defend 79 runs off the last six overs, victory was in sight until a familiar collapse occurred.

Richa Ghosh, dropped on 0, smashed an unbeaten 27-ball 64*, powering defending champions RCB to the highest successful chase in WPL history with nine balls to spare. Another promising win was ruthlessly snatched from the Giants.

Last season, with only one win in their first four games, Gujarat's struggles continued—dropped catches, over-reliance on overseas players, and an inexperienced Indian core hampered their revival. However, pushed to the brink, Indian players like Kashvee Gautam (11 wickets) and Tanuja Kanwar (8 wickets) emerged, sparking a three-match winning streak that secured their first playoff berth.

Nearly a year later, that loss to RCB and its lessons remain with skipper Gardner as the Giants prepare for their 2026 campaign. "This season is about making sure we do the small things right for longer periods," Gardner said ahead of the new season. "We put ourselves in a lot of winning positions last year. Some we won, some we didn't. Reflecting on that first game against RCB, we were in the box seat for 90% of it, but Richa played a fantastic knock. It's about ensuring if we're in those positions again, we know what to do. We need to plan correctly before stepping onto the field."

The late-season momentum has fueled optimism for the Giants, who now eye a finals spot, if not the title. The squad's rejigging through the mega auctions has bolstered their confidence, with key acquisitions including Sophie Devine, Renuka Thakur, Titas Sadhu, Georgia Wareham, Yastika Bhatia, and Danni Wyatt.

Head coach Michael Klinger noted, "The reset was a slight advantage. Had it been a smaller auction, I would have been reasonably happy too, as we built momentum last year. In franchise tournaments, resetting after a few seasons is a good idea, but you also want to retain a core to build the brand. The auction allowed us to retain and get back some players we wanted. With mega auctions, you lose some players, so in some aspects, we are starting fresh. We tried to retain the core—both overseas and local—from last season's success while bringing in new talent. We think we have the right blend. Getting 85-90% of what you ask for in an auction is solid, and every team faces similar situations. We're really happy with our blend."

Gardner, one of the few players with the Giants since inception, echoed this, calling it the strongest squad assembled in four years. "We have a fantastic squad this year. Going into the mega auction, we knew we needed to create a team that could lift the trophy, and I certainly think we've done that."

Despite the reshuffle, the Giants' heavy dependence on overseas batters remains a core issue. Gardner acknowledges this but sees it as a tournament-wide trend. "Overseas players do a lot of the heavy lifting across all teams, and it won't be different for us. We have four to six fantastic players with immense experience, which is crucial in different conditions. We would have loved a more experienced Indian batter, but they're aligned with other teams. We have plenty of youth, and it's about exposing them to the highest level, knowing they're surrounded by experience. We might not have players like Harman or Smriti, but we have to win with who we've got, and we have a fantastic squad this year, so there's no reason we can't win."

Gardner added, "For us, it's about nailing down what we're really good at and being clear in our approach. Thankfully, we've retained quite a few players from previous years, which makes it easier. But every team has improved, so we must be clear on how we want to win."

With nearly two weeks of preparation, the squad—featuring players from four countries—has bonded well. For Gardner, the shifted playing window offers kinder weather compared to India's challenging conditions. The relaxed confidence is palpable, as the Giants aim to break the hegemony of consistent performers Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. The results of their preparation await.