Gujarat Giants head coach Michael Klinger has said the acquisition of wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini and Irish seam-bowling all-rounder Orla Prendergast at the 2027 Women's Premier League (WPL) auction will give the franchise significantly greater flexibility, particularly in how it deploys its overseas slots in the upcoming season.

Key Signings and What They Cost

The Gujarat Giants secured Kamalini at her base price of ₹40 lakh and Prendergast for ₹30 lakh. Klinger revealed the franchise had anticipated fiercer competition for Kamalini. 'We picked Kamalini mainly as a batter. We felt she was the best batter on the auction list, and we wanted to add more strength to our batting and give ourselves more options, including with our overseas players,' Klinger said on JioStar's 'Match Centre Live Auction Special' show. 'We probably got her for less than we expected, as we thought there would be more bidding. So, we are really happy with the signing.'

Prendergast Makes Irish History in WPL

Orla Prendergast has become the first Irish cricketer ever to be signed in the WPL — a historic milestone for women's cricket in Ireland. Klinger, who previously worked alongside Prendergast at Welsh Fire in The Hundred, underlined the all-rounder's adaptability and familiarity with Indian conditions. 'Orla had a really good World Cup in India last year, so she knows these conditions. I was fortunate enough to work with her in The Hundred last year, so we know each other well. She will be a great addition to the squad and give us more versatility,' he said.

How the Duo Reshapes the Squad

According to Klinger, the pairing of Kamalini's batting and Prendergast's all-round contributions opens up possibilities in how the Giants structure their playing XI. 'She will give us a different approach. The combination of Kamalini's batting and Orla's all-round skills gives us more options with our overseas players. We also have some bowling options in the squad, so we will see if we stick to a similar combination as last year,' the coach explained.

Accelerated Round Adds Teenage Talent

With ₹50 lakh remaining in their purse after the first two signings, Klinger noted the team was uncertain whether funds would stretch to a third pick. The Giants ultimately used the accelerated round to sign 16-year-old Delhi-based all-rounder Samaira Raghav for ₹10 lakh, rounding out their auction additions.

WPL 2027 Season at a Glance

The WPL 2027 season is scheduled to run from 14 January to 7 February 2027, with venues yet to be confirmed. Gujarat Giants, with the majority of their core squad already settled, head into the new campaign with a refreshed and, according to their coach, more versatile set of options at their disposal.