The Gujarat Giants (GG) faced a tough reality check at the DY Patil Stadium on Tuesday, suffering their first defeat of the WPL 2026 season at the hands of Mumbai Indians (MI). Despite a strong start to the tournament, GG’s fielding fell apart during the death overs—a lapse that head coach Michael Klinger admitted was the turning point of the game.
The most glaring issue was the “three lives” gifted to MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur. Known for her ability to take the game away from the opposition, Kaur capitalized on three dropped chances to punish the Giants’ bowling attack. While the Giants were sharp in their first two outings, the misfields and overthrows in Navi Mumbai proved costly.
Fielding Lapses and the “Harmanpreet Factor”
Coach Michael Klinger didn’t sugarcoat the difficulty of winning when elite players are given multiple opportunities. “It’s difficult when you give a player as good as Harmanpreet three chances,” Klinger noted during the post-match press conference. He pointed out that while the team started well, the execution crumbled in the final five to six overs.
Despite the sloppy display, Klinger was quick to defend his squad’s work ethic. He emphasized that the players have been put through rigorous drills under fielding coach Sarah Taylor. For Klinger, the issue wasn’t a lack of effort but rather a localized failure in a high-pressure window. He maintained that the team’s training standards remain high and viewed this performance as an outlier compared to their previous two matches.
Kanika Ahuja’s Promotion: A Silver Lining for GG
One of the few bright spots for the Giants was the tactical shift in their batting order. With all-rounder Anushka Sharma sidelined due to a hand injury sustained against Delhi Capitals, GG promoted Kanika Ahuja to the No. 3 spot. It was a bold move, considering Ahuja had previously batted as low as No. 8 and had never occupied the one-down position in her WPL career.
The gamble paid off handsomely. Ahuja played a blistering cameo, scoring 35 off just 18 deliveries, including four boundaries and two sixes. Klinger praised her ability to handle both pace and spin with composure, noting that her role as a left-hander at the top of the order added a strategic advantage. “She started so well… I think there’s even a lot of upside there,” Klinger remarked, suggesting that Ahuja could be a long-term solution for the top order.
With Anushka Sharma expected to remain out until the Baroda leg of the season begins on January 19, Ahuja is likely to keep her spot at No. 3. As the Giants look to bounce back, they will need to marry Ahuja’s newfound aggression with the disciplined fielding that defined their early-season success.
