As WPL 2026 draws closer, every franchise is preparing for what is expected to be the most competitive season in Women’s Premier League history. Among the five teams, the Gujarat Giants Women stand out for making one of the boldest and most strategic decisions in the entire retention window—choosing to retain only two players while releasing the rest of the squad for a near-complete rebuild.
This move signals a massive shift in team-building philosophy. Instead of sticking with a familiar but underperforming core, Gujarat is opting for flexibility, fresh talent, and a modern T20 approach. In this exclusive breakdown, Vijaybet 11 examines the Giants’ retention plan, the logic behind their decisions, the strategies expected for the WPL 2026 mega auction, and what fans can anticipate in the new season.
❓Why Gujarat Chose a Minimalist Core + What It Means for the Mega Auction
⭐ Gujarat Giants Women – Official WPL 2026 Retained Players
Gujarat Giants have chosen to retain only two players:
1️⃣ Ashleigh Gardner (Australia | All-Rounder)
One of the most complete T20 all-rounders in world cricket. Gardner brings:
- Match-winning strike power
- Elite off-spin bowling
- Athletic fielding
- Proven experience in pressure moments
Her retention ensures Gujarat keep someone who can influence the game in all three departments.
2️⃣ Beth Mooney (Australia | Wicketkeeper-Batter)
Mooney is arguably one of the best T20 openers in the world. She provides:
- Stability in the Powerplay
- High averages under pressure
- Game-reading ability
- Calm leadership qualities
By retaining Mooney, Gujarat secure a foundational batter to anchor the top order.
💰 Purse Strength for WPL 2026 Auction
With only two players retained, Gujarat Giants enter the WPL 2026 mega auction with:
👉 A significantly large remaining purse（₹9 crore+ range）
This gives them the financial freedom to aggressively pursue:
- High-value overseas stars
- A new Indian batting core
- Specialist bowlers
- Leadership options
- Death-overs finishers
In terms of pure auction flexibility, Gujarat now rank among the strongest.
🎯 Why Did Gujarat Giants Retain Only Two Players?
At first glance, retaining only two players may seem risky, but Gujarat’s strategy is highly calculated. Based on VijayBet 11’s WPL trends and tactical models, the decision reflects four major factors:
1️⃣ Previous seasons proved the existing core was not working
The Gujarat Giants have struggled across earlier WPL seasons. Despite signing big names, the squad lacked:
- Middle-order stability
- Consistent Indian performers
- Quality death bowling
- Tactical flexibility
- Bench depth
Instead of forcing the old structure to work, Gujarat chose complete reconstruction—a move that often leads to dramatic improvement in franchise leagues.
2️⃣ Retaining overseas match-winners ensures a strong backbone
By keeping Gardner and Mooney, Gujarat guarantees:
- Two world-class players in key roles
- Leadership and experience
- Balance between batting and bowling
- Reliable performance under pressure
These two players form a “premium spine,” allowing Gujarat to rebuild the Indian core around them.
3️⃣ A small retention list = more purse + more auction control
In franchise tournaments, flexibility sometimes matters more than player continuity. With a big purse in WPL 2026, Gujarat can:
- Enter bidding wars without fear
- Target high-value players
- Restructure the squad from scratch
- Improve weak areas with precision
- Adjust quickly based on auction dynamics
This is one of the biggest advantages of their minimalist retention.
4️⃣ They are preparing for a multi-year rebuild—not just a single season push
The Giants are clearly thinking long-term. Instead of repeating short-term fixes, they want:
- Young Indian talent
- Strong domestic bench strength
- A consistent bowling group
- A modern aggressive batting style
- A squad flexible enough for 2–3 seasons
This approach mirrors successful IPL franchises that rebuilt from the foundation up—and later won titles.
🧠 VijayBet 11 Analysis: Strengths & Weaknesses of Gujarat Giants’ WPL 2026 Strategy
Our WPL analytics team breaks down the key pros and cons of Gujarat’s approach:
💪 Strengths
✔ A large auction purse-Essential for attracting overseas stars and top domestic players.
✔ A clean slate-Allows Gujarat to address every position without being locked into past mistakes.
✔ Gardner + Mooney = world-class core-Having two elite players dramatically reduces rebuild risk.
✔ High tactical flexibility-New coaches, new combinations, new strategies—no legacy issues.
⚠️ Weaknesses
❗ Minimal continuity-Team chemistry may take time to develop.
❗ High pressure on auction performance-One or two bad bidding decisions can affect the entire season.
❗ Indian domestic core must be chosen carefully-The WPL is heavily shaped by Indian players’ quality. This part of the rebuild must be perfect.
🔥 Who Gujarat Giants Are Likely to Target in the WPL 2026 Mega Auction
Based on Vijaybet 11’s predictive model, Gujarat Giants are expected to aggressively chase several key player profiles during the WPL 2026 mega auction:
1️⃣ A reliable Indian top-order batter
To pair with Mooney or anchor the innings.
2️⃣ A strike bowler
Preferably an Indian pacer or a mystery spinner.
3️⃣ A strong middle-order Indian batter
The area Gujarat struggled with the most.
4️⃣ A death-overs specialist
Their biggest pain point in previous seasons.
5️⃣ A power-hitting finisher
Someone who can replicate the impact of players like Grace Harris.
6️⃣ A young Indian all-rounder
Crucial for long-term stability.
🔥 With a massive purse and plenty of open slots, Gujarat Giants are set to become one of the most aggressive and competitive bidders at the WPL 2026 auction. For live updates on their targets, signings, and strategic moves, make sure to follow VijayBet 11 — your fastest source for WPL 2026 insights.
🏆 What Gujarat Giants Fans Can Expect in WPL 2026
Fans should be excited—not worried.
The Giants’ rebuild means:
- A fresher, more aggressive team
- Young talent mixed with international experience
- A stronger bowling unit
- A batting order built around Mooney’s consistency
- Smarter tactical approaches
If the auction goes well, Gujarat Giants could go from underperformers to WPL 2026 breakthrough contenders.
Gujarat Giants 2026 Outlook
The Gujarat Giants Women have taken a bold but intelligent approach for WPL 2026.
By trimming their retention list to two world-class players and preserving a large purse, they have positioned themselves for a transformative auction.
This rebuild may be exactly what the franchise needed.
With the right signings, Gujarat could finally assemble a balanced, competitive, and modern T20 team capable of challenging giants like MI, DC, and RCB.
For more WPL 2026 updates, auction predictions, and team analysis, stay locked on Vijaybet 11 — your home for cricket insights.
