Gujarat Giants head coach Michael Klinger has acknowledged that selecting just four overseas players from the franchise's six-strong pool will be among the most challenging decisions heading into the 2027 Women's Premier League (WPL), scheduled to run from 14 January to 7 February 2027. Speaking after the auction held in Kochi, Klinger described the competition for those spots as a 'good problem to have.'

Auction Additions Deepen the Pool

At the Kochi auction, Gujarat Giants filled their three vacant slots by securing India wicketkeeper-batter G Kamalini for ₹40 lakh, Ireland seam-bowling all-rounder Orla Prendergast for ₹30 lakh, and uncapped finisher Samaira Raghav — a late addition to the auction pool — for ₹10 lakh. Prendergast made history as the first Irish cricketer to be picked in the WPL.

The franchise now carries six overseas players: captain Ashleigh Gardner, Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, and Prendergast. Only four can feature in any playing eleven, making the selection equation particularly complex.

Why Kim Garth Changes the Calculus

Klinger pointed to Kim Garth — who did not feature in last season's lineup — as a key variable. 'Last year we went with our four batters, or rounders. We have Kim Garth as well, who didn't play last year and is in career best form at the moment,' he said. 'She's certainly going to be pushing to play matches as well and provides fantastic new ball and death bowling options for us. Along with Orla now, it's going to be some really difficult decisions, but that's a good problem to have.'

The addition of Prendergast — a seam-bowling all-rounder — gives the Giants a bowling-heavy overseas option for the first time, potentially prompting a tactical rethink from the batting-dominant combination used in WPL 2026.

Kamalini Targeted Purely as a Batter

On the decision to sign G Kamalini despite already having two keeping options in Beth Mooney and Yastika Bhatia, Klinger was candid. 'We thought there were going to be more bidders for her. So to get her at base price was great. We probably would have bid a little bit higher if required,' he said. The coach confirmed the franchise views Kamalini purely as a batter: 'In terms of having three keepers, we're probably looking for her as a batter only. Initially, with Yastika and Beth as options to take the gloves, I think they're probably the ones we'll go with at the start.' Kamalini joins from Mumbai Indians, where she played the previous two WPL seasons.

The Samaira Raghav Wildcard

The most intriguing signing may be Samaira Raghav, an uncapped finisher who first drew attention from WPL scouts during the Women's Delhi Premier League (DPL) this year. Representing North Delhi Strikers, she hit a match-winning six when her side needed six runs off two balls against East Delhi Riders at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

She subsequently turned out for Delhi in the Women's Under-19 T20 Trophy, aggregating 162 runs at an average of 54 and a strike rate of 216, remaining unbeaten on four occasions. Her strike rates across individual fixtures were staggering: 325 against Pondicherry, 308 against Bengal, 275 against Uttarakhand, 221 against Saurashtra, and 192 in the semi-final against Haryana.

Based in Gurugram, Samaira was a short-distance sprinter before her father encouraged her to take up cricket. Klinger was effusive: 'To have someone so young who can do that and have a good head on her shoulders is really exciting.' He did, however, flag a caveat — if Samaira is called up for the Under-19 World Cup squad, the Giants may see limited availability from her this season.

Giants Eye First Title After Eliminator Exit

The Ashleigh Gardner-led side reached the playoffs in WPL 2026 but fell to Delhi Capitals in the Eliminator. With venues for WPL 2027 yet to be announced, the franchise will be targeting their first-ever title. The deepened squad depth — particularly across batting and seam bowling — suggests Klinger's side could be among the stronger contenders if the overseas puzzle is solved effectively.