Gujarat, Feb 04 : Gujarat Giants’ head coach Michael Klinger reflected positively on the team’s WPL 2026 campaign, acknowledging both progress and areas for improvement after the Giants’ Eliminator defeat to Delhi Capitals on Tuesday.
Finishing second in the league stage was a step forward for the side, demonstrating their ability to handle close contests. The Giants secured emphatic wins over UP Warriorz, ended a long winless streak against Mumbai Indians, and narrowly beat Delhi Capitals twice in last-over finishes, with Sophie Devine’s calm presence under pressure making a key difference.
Despite these successes, Klinger noted that losses to Royal Challengers Bengaluru and falling short in Eliminators revealed critical moments where the team could have performed better.
“Finishing second is a huge improvement,” Klinger said. “The two Eliminators we played, both last year and this year, we just didn’t play at our best. When we are close to our best, we can beat any team in this competition. We weren’t quite there today in both batting and bowling.”
Looking ahead, Klinger emphasized the opportunity to build on the season’s learnings. “We’ve learned a lot about our squad. We’ve got about 10 months to assess players, tweak strategies, and come back stronger next year. Qualifying two years in a row is an achievement, but we’re aiming for bigger things,” he added.
Klinger also praised the development of Indian players. Anushka Sharma, in her debut season, showed promise with multiple good starts, while Bharti Fulmali and Yastika Bhatia are expected to grow as impactful contributors. “It’s about belief and realizing they can dominate games,” he said.
On the bowling front, Klinger highlighted the fighting spirit shown in narrow victories, especially against Delhi Capitals. He encouraged fast bowlers to develop options when conditions don’t favor swing and praised young talent like Happy Kumari for her pace, line, and length. Spinners Tanuja Kanwer and Rajeshwari Gayakwad played fewer overs due to team composition but remain integral for the next season.
Klinger concluded with optimism for WPL 2027, confident that the combination of experienced overseas players and emerging Indian talent will allow Gujarat Giants to strengthen and challenge for the title.