WPL 2026: Ashleigh Gardner named captain of Gujarat Giants for upcoming season

Ashleigh Gardner. (Photo Source: WPL)

Gujarat Giants have once again backed Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner, naming her captain for the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 season. The franchise confirmed that Gardner will continue to lead the team, extending her leadership role after captaining the team in WPL 2025. The Aussie was retained for INR 3.50 crore ahead of the WPL 2026 mega auction and will look to help the team push for their maiden WPL title.

Gardner has been associated with the franchise since the league’s inception in 2023. Under her leadership in WPL 2025, the Giants finished third on the points table, securing four wins from eight matches and qualifying for the Eliminator. While the trophy remained out of their reach, the franchise showed signs of progress, prompting the management to back Gardner once again for the 2026 season. The WPL 2026 will begin on January 9, with Gujarat Giants set to open their campaign against UP Warriorz on January 10 at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.

Gardner retained for INR 3.50 crore ahead of the WPL 2026

The all-rounder has been the Gujarat Giants’ best performer across seasons. In 25 WPL matches, she has scored 567 runs at an impressive strike rate of 141.75, including five half-centuries, while also picking up 25 wickets, making her the franchise’s leading run-scorer and wicket-taker. WPL 2025 proved to be Gardner’s most productive season with the bat. She scored 243 runs in nine innings at a strike rate of 164.18 and chipped in with eight wickets.

The franchise has further strengthened its squad for WPL 2026. At the mega auction, they secured names such as Sophie Devine for INR 2 crore, alongside Georgia Wareham and Danielle Wyatt. Core players Beth Mooney and Gardner were retained, while Kashvee Gautam and Bharti Fulmali were brought back using the Right to Match option. Among Indian players, Renuka Singh emerged as their biggest signing, with young talents like Titas Sadhu and Ayushi Soni added to the squad.

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