In a largely expected move, the Delhi Capitals have named 25-year-old Jemimah Rodrigues as the captain of their women’s team ahead of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026.
Rodrigues’ terrific show at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, plus her growing stature and popularity, meant the right-hander was always going to be the first-choice contender to get the captaincy position once Delhi released Australian Meg Lanning, who had led the franchise to the finals of all three WPL seasons but failed to lift the trophy.
Rodrigues was Lanning’s deputy and then was one of the five players who DCW retained, along with Shafali Verma, Niki Prasad, Annabel Sutherland, and Marizanne Kapp.
In the WPL 2026 auction, Delhi had roped in Laura Wolvaardt, who led South Africa to the finals of the last two women’s ICC events.
DC co-owner Parth Jindal had earlier, at the WPL auction, hinted at Rodrigues’ ascension, saying, “I think we are very clear that we would like to have an Indian as the captain.”
Jemimah Rodrigues has been with Delhi Capitals since the inaugural WPL season in 2023. In 27 WPL matches, the right-hander has scored 507 runs at an average of 28 and a strike rate of almost 140, with three half-centuries in her bank.
Jemimah Rodrigues hopes to “finally cross that line” in WPL 2026
Batting in the middle order, Rodrigues played an integral role in Delhi’s run to the finals of all three WPL editions, and she has often stood out in the field, using her athleticism to pluck jaw-dropping catches and effecting sharp run-outs.
Rodrigues has had a “dream year”, with the highest point coming in the famous semi-final victory against powerhouse Australia. She scored 127* in a match-winning cause, knocking Australia out and propelling India to the final, where India beat South Africa to lift the World Cup.
Parth Jindal said, “Jemimah has been with us since day one, and there was never any doubt that she would one day captain the team. Beyond her on-field heroics, her infectious smile and boundless energy have made her a much-loved presence in the dressing room, and I am confident she will lead the squad exceptionally well.”
Rodrigues said, “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.”
When will the WPL 2026 start?
The WPL 2026 is set to get underway on January 9th, with the final slated for February 5th. Harmanpreet Kaur’s Mumbai Indians are the defending champions.
Get the Latest Cricket Updates at IceCric.News. Also, Follow Our Social Media for live updates on Facebook and Instagram.
