NEW DELHI – The Delhi Capitals (DC) have officially ushered in a new leadership era, appointing Indian batting star Jemimah Rodrigues as their captain for the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 season.
The 25-year-old replaces the legendary Meg Lanning, who led the franchise to three consecutive finals but has now moved to the UP Warriorz. The appointment follows Jemimah’s heroic role in India’s historic 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup victory, a campaign that fundamentally changed her standing in world cricket.
The “Innings of the Ages”: A Turning Point
Rodrigues’ path to captaincy was paved by a career-defining performance in the World Cup Semifinal against Australia in October 2025.
- The Feat: In what is now the highest successful run-chase in Women’s ODI history, Jemimah smashed an unbeaten 127 off 134 balls.
- The Context: Chasing a tournament-record 339, she combined with captain Harmanpreet Kaur (89) for a 167-run stand that stunned the defending champions and secured India’s place in the final.
- Ending the Drought: That momentum carried India to the final in Navi Mumbai, where they defeated South Africa by 52 runs to lift their maiden World Cup title on November 2, 2025.
Shedding the “Chokers” Tag
In a recent media interaction, Jemimah addressed the parallel between the Indian national team and the Delhi Capitals—both of whom were frequently labeled as “chokers” after falling at the final hurdle multiple times.
“Everyone used to call us chokers, the Indian women’s cricket team, but things changed [in the World Cup]… I think DC for the last three years have played some exceptional cricket. We keep believing that our time is now.” — Jemimah Rodrigues
Jemimah’s WPL & International Track Record
Despite her young age, Rodrigues is a veteran of the format and has been a cornerstone for DC since the inaugural season.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Avg / SR |
| WPL (Delhi Capitals) | 27 | 507 | 139.67 (SR) |
| T20 Internationals | 115 | 2,479 | 30.60 (Avg) |
| ODI Internationals | 59 | 1,749 | 3 Centuries |
WPL 2026 Season Kickoff
Jemimah’s first test as leader begins in just a few days as the league moves toward its fourth edition.
- Opening Match: Delhi Capitals vs. Mumbai Indians
- Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
- Venue: DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
With a squad bolstered by international stars like Laura Wolvaardt, Alana King, and Marizanne Kapp, Rodrigues will aim to do for Delhi what she helped do for India: break the finals curse and lift the trophy.