The Delhi Capitals enter the 4th edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) as one of the tournament’s most consistent performers, having reached the finals in all three previous seasons. Despite finishing as runners-up each time, their strong showings reflect a balanced blend of seasoned international stars and vibrant Indian talents.
Ahead of the WPL Mega Auctions on 27th November 2025 in New Delhi, Delhi Capitals strategically retained five key players, laying the foundation for what promises to be another competitive campaign.
The Capitals’ retained squad highlighted their commitment to a proven core, maintaining key contributors Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Annabel Sutherland, and Marizanne Kapp, at 2.20 CR each. The management also showed a lot of faith in India’s Under-19 World Cup winning skipper Niki Prasad (50 Lakhs), naming her as the 5th retention, which meant a combined investment of Rs 9.30 crore to retain the core ahead of the mega auctions. This group combines Indian batting firepower with international experience, positioning Delhi well to reclaim the elusive WPL trophy in 2026.
The addition of the likes of the South African skipper, Laura Wolvaardt [1.10 CR], Chinelle Henry [1.30 CR], and the former South African wicket-keeper batter Lizelle Lee [30 Lakhs], were the stand-out buys for the Delhi Capitals in the mega auction. The Capitals played it smart to bring back their young left-arm spin bowling sensation Shree Charani [1.30 CR]. Towards the backend of the auction, Minnu Mani [40 Lakhs] returned to the Capitals set-up. Shree Charani was joined by her fellow spinner Sneh Rana [50 Lakhs], an integral part of India’s World Cup winning squad.
One of the hardest goodbyes for the Delhi Capitals was not being able to secure their dependable skipper, Meg Lanning [1.9 CR], despite fighting hard; the UP Warriorz out-bidded them to secure the services of the former Australian skipper for the upcoming season.
Delhi Capitals’ journey in the WPL has been marked by dominance in the league phases, consistently finishing at the summit of the points table. In their debut campaign in 2023, under the leadership of former Australian captain Meg Lanning, Delhi topped the group with 12 points from 8 matches, achieving 6 wins and enduring only 2 defeats. However, the finale slipped away to the Mumbai Indians.
The following years mirrored a similar pattern: topping the table with 12 points again in 2024, only to lose a final nail-biting clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru and finishing first in 2025 with 10 points from 8 games before narrowly missing out on the title again. This unbroken streak of finishing first in the league stages across every season secured them direct entries to each grand final, underscoring the franchise’s competitive edge.
This solidified quartet of Jemimah, Shafali, Sutherland, and Kapp not only deliver dynamic performances with bat and ball but also brings critical leadership and experience to the side. Niki Prasad, though retained for a relatively modest sum, provides valuable capabilities and depth with the bat and in the field.
With a purse of Rs 5.70 crore post-retentions, Delhi Capitals faced a crucial challenge where they had to scout for a minimum of 10 and up to 13 more players, with up to 4 overseas slots available to build a squad to secure their elusive WPL title. The auction on 27th November was decisive in building a squad capable of breaking the cycle of runners-up finishes. The addition of versatile and power-packed all-rounders added sharpness and a lot of depth to the squad.
Delhi Capitals Squad for WPL 2026:
Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Annabel Sutherland, Marizanne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Laura Wolvaardt, Deeya Yadav, Taniya Bhati, Lizelle Lee, Mamatha Madiwala, Chinelle Henry, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Shree Charani, Lucy Hamilton, Nandani Sharma
The addition of the South African skipper, Laura Wolvaardt, infused a much-needed stability and calm to the leadership core after the exit of their former skipper, Meg Lanning. However, it is yet to be seen who’ll get the nod to take charge at the helm to carry the legacy of this unit. The firm contenders for the role add a different edge to the side, as ever-so dynamic superstar Jemimah Rodrigues adds a local flavour, while Laura Wolvaardt brings with her international experience from leading the Proteas at the highest level.
As one of the most formidable teams in WPL history, Delhi Capitals’ blend of youthful exuberance and seasoned veterans, led by strategic planning at the auction, puts them in an enviable position to mount a strong challenge for the WPL 2026 crown.
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