Mumbai: Gujarat Giants release Danni Wyatt-Hodge before the 2027 Women’s Premier League player auction, retaining most of their core while parting ways with the England batter who topped the run charts at the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in England.
Wyatt-Hodge amassed 302 runs in seven matches at an average of 60.40, striking at 149.50 with one century and two fifties, driving England to the final. Despite that form, head coach Michael Klinger said the decision reflected squad balance and scheduling factors rather than performance.
According to Klinger, Wyatt-Hodge was unlikely to break into the preferred four-foreign-player combination for WPL 2027, and overlapping England commitments would further limit her opportunities. He recalled that last season she featured only once before illness sidelined her, after which Georgia Wareham returned and cemented her spot as a middle-order all-round option.
Klinger said he had spoken with Wyatt-Hodge and her representative, who were eager for her to play regular cricket during that window ahead of the Champions Trophy. He added that she may prioritise an England series scheduled around the same time. Releasing her, he said, suited both parties and gives the franchise flexibility at the auction to target a similar or different skill set.
Giants eye WPL 2027 bowling consistency
Titas release
Klinger confirmed that injury concerns were central to the release of India pacer Titas Sadhu, who has 20 white-ball caps. He said Sadhu missed last WPL season through injury and has been sidelined since, though she is now close to returning.
The coach noted that Sadhu joined the team’s current training camp so staff could assess her before the auction. She is expected to begin the domestic season on October 26. Letting her go, he added, broadens the Giants’ options at the auction, while leaving the door open to re-sign her.
Fast-bowling depth
Klinger said India’s domestic fast-bowling stocks are trending upward, pointing to notable gains in fitness, agility and versatility across the country’s pace group since he took charge. The challenge, he cautioned, will be translating those improvements against top-level batters, whether Indian internationals or overseas players in the WPL, an arena many emerging quicks have yet to experience.
Giants target bowling consistency
After missing the playoffs in their first two campaigns, the Giants have made the knockouts in the past two seasons. Overseeing an off-season camp in Bengaluru ahead of the October 28 auction in Kochi, Klinger identified greater bowling consistency as a priority after a disappointing eliminator against Delhi Capitals.
He said the Giants had edged Delhi twice in the league phase but failed to produce their best in the knockout. Batting remains a strength, Klinger added, noting that the team successfully defended and chased substantial totals last season. Improving control at key moments with the ball is the focus, and several players are pushing for roles that could add quality overs.
Anushka, Happy in focus
Klinger praised Anushka Sharma’s debut WPL campaign and pointed to her strong ODI series against Australia A and recent exposure to international cricket as added motivation. He said Sharma and Yastika Bhatia, both in the India setup and part of the Giants’ WPL 2027 plans, are driven to secure starting roles for India, which he believes will benefit the franchise.
He also highlighted young fast bowler Happy Kumari as one to watch. Kumari impressed in training last season, earned a single appearance, and has worked diligently since. If her progress continues, Klinger expects she could feature more in WPL 2027, a competition that has already showcased emerging talent alongside established stars featured in events like South Africa v Australia: third ODI live score and updates.