In a significant leadership change, the Delhi Capitals franchise has appointed Indian batting sensation Jemimah Rodrigues as their new captain for the upcoming 2026 season of the Women's Premier League (WPL). The official announcement was made on Tuesday, marking a new chapter for the team.
A Dream Year Culminates in Captaincy Honour
Rodrigues steps into the leadership role riding on an extraordinary year of personal and team success, most notably being a pivotal part of India's historic ICC Women's World Cup-winning campaign. Her appointment follows the franchise's decision to release former captain Meg Lanning ahead of last month's player auction.
Expressing her emotions, Rodrigues stated it was an "absolute honour" to be entrusted with the captaincy. "I am deeply grateful to the owners and the support staff for placing their faith in me to lead this team," she said in an official release. She described the past year as a dream for her and her family, highlighting the twin achievements of winning the World Cup and now securing the Delhi Capitals captaincy.
Proven Performer and a Franchise Stalwart
Rodrigues is no stranger to the Delhi Capitals setup, having been with the team since the league's inception. She was the franchise's first-ever pick at the inaugural WPL auction and has been a consistent performer. In her 27 matches for the Capitals, she has amassed 507 runs at an impressive strike rate of 139.67. She also holds the unique distinction of having played in all three WPL finals so far.
Her credentials at the international level are equally formidable. Rodrigues has featured in 113 T20Is, scoring 2,444 runs, and 59 ODIs, where she has compiled 1,749 runs. Her leadership mettle was showcased globally during the World Cup semi-final against Australia, where she played a match-winning, unbeaten knock of 127 while chasing a daunting target of 339, displaying immense composure under pressure.
Building on a Strong Legacy and Eyeing the Title
Rodrigues acknowledged the influence of her predecessor, Meg Lanning, in her development. "I have learned so much over the last three years and have shared some of my best moments with the Delhi Capitals," she remarked. She now aims to channel those experiences to guide the team to ultimate glory.
"We have a strong group, and I can’t wait to get going as we look ahead to what we hope will be a very successful season, and finally cross that line that has eluded us in the last three years," Rodrigues added, referencing the team's runner-up finishes. The Delhi Capitals will commence their WPL 2026 campaign with a high-profile clash against the Mumbai Indians on January 10 in Navi Mumbai.
