Having never reached a WPL final before, the Giants now have a golden opportunity to script a memorable chapter in the franchise’s journey. Among the players central to their campaign is experienced left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad, who has emerged as one of the team’s most consistent performers this season.
At 34, Gayakwad is enjoying arguably her finest WPL campaign. The seasoned spinner has picked up 10 wickets in seven matches at an impressive average of 14.50 and an economy rate of 7.63, playing a key role in Gujarat Giants finishing second in the standings to secure a playoff berth. She also happens to be the 4th highest wicket-taker among the Indians.
For Gayakwad, this resurgence is particularly significant after a challenging stint with UP Warriorz, where she struggled for consistency over the previous three seasons.
In an exclusive interaction with MyKhel, Gayakwad emphasised her team-first approach rather than focusing on individual milestones. “Nothing much. Whenever I play a match, I don’t think about the wickets. I just want to do my best and win the team. That makes me happy. Winning the team with my performance is the biggest thing,” she said. “I am happy that we are doing well as a team and as a group. We will play with the same confidence against Delhi as well. I am having a lot of fun.”
Gayakwad also highlighted the growing influence of technology in modern cricket preparation, crediting her Apple Watch for helping her manage fitness and recovery.
“Technology plays a big role in today’s world. I think everyone is depending on it. As far as Apple Watch is concerned, sleep is the most important thing for me. I pay a lot of attention to it. I believe that if I am getting proper sleep, I am fresh for the next day. I can give my 100% on the ground,” she explained, adding that monitoring heart rate and recovery helps her avoid fatigue during intense training schedules.
She also praised the positive environment under captain Ashleigh Gardner. “Not only Ashley, but all the foreign players in our team are good. The communication with everyone is very good. There is a very good bonding with everyone. There is no senior-junior relationship here. Everyone has fun with each other,” she said, highlighting the unity within the squad.
Despite Gujarat Giants’ unbeaten record against Delhi Capitals this season, the seasoned India international, who has been capped 127 times across formats, remains focused on staying grounded. “There is only one thing in my mind. We have gone one match at a time. If we play good cricket, we will win 100%. We haven’t thought about the finals, but we will think about the Playoffs first,” she stated.
For Gayakwad, the season has also been personally rewarding after battling mental, physical challenges and getting ignored from the national set-up as well. “I enjoyed my cricket after a long time. I was going through a lot of mental stress. I have worked hard on myself. I will do my best whenever I get a chance. I enjoyed playing cricket here,” she added.
As Gujarat Giants chase a maiden WPL final appearance, Gayakwad’s experience and renewed confidence could prove vital in their quest for glory.