Alana King’s arrival at Delhi Capitals for Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 adds proven firepower to the team, especially after all-rounder Annabel Sutherland’s sudden exit due to personal reasons.
The 30-year-old Australian leg spinner recently made history with figures of 7/18 against South Africa in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, the best ever in the tournament. She offers versatility and skill across formats. Her smooth transition to T20 should strengthen a Capitals team aiming for playoff success under new captain Jemimah Rodrigues.
In Indore during the 2025 Women’s World Cup, King’s stunning performance, taking 7 wickets for 18 runs in just seven overs to dismiss South Africa from 32/0 to 97 all out, helped Australia win by seven wickets but also broke New Zealand player Jacquelie Lord’s 1982 record of 6/10, making King the first to take seven wickets in World Cup history and the sixth woman overall in ODIs.
Reflecting on the game, she spoke about the thrill of taking down a strong batting lineup. She credited the grip and turn on a responsive pitch that enhanced her leg spin skills. This performance showcased her ODI strength, with 72 wickets at an average of 19.11 across 47 games, solidifying her role as Australia’s leading spin bowler during their dominant run.
King is equally effective in T20Is, boasting 27 wickets in 27 games, at an economy rate of 6.49, combining control with the ability to take wickets. Her recent time in the WBBL with Perth Scorchers saw her take 12 wickets in 13 matches, helping the team finish as runners up and demonstrating her ability to perform under pressure.
With a change of captaincy and new players in the mix, Alana King is hopeful the change could help Delhi Capitals win their maiden WPL title, ending the franchise three-year wait despite playing in 3 consecutive finals. She said, “I hope it’s fourth time lucky (for Delhi Capitals). It’s a new year, there are some fresh faces in the team including myself, and there’s a new captain in Jemimah (Rodrigues). There’s been a little bit of change and sometimes change is a good thing because it can refresh the group.”
Her limited experience in WPL, playing just one game for UP Warriorz last season, does not fully reflect her talent; however, her cameo of 19 not out showed her lower order strength to support her bowling. With Delhi facing Mumbai Indians in their opener on January 10 at Dr. DY Patil Stadium Navi Mumbai, King’s skill in middle overs and her capacity to excel in the death overs could be crucial against a strong lineup.
Sutherland’s departure, after being retained for INR 2.20 crore with 150 runs and 13 wickets in 17 WPL games, leaves a gap in all round depth, but King’s multi format experience fits well. Unlike Sutherland’s pace, King’s leg spin adds variety to Delhi’s attack, complementing other spinners in the squad while providing batting options from the lower order.
The franchise’s smart move, announced just days after her World Cup performance, indicates strategic thinking, especially as King adjusts to Indian conditions where she excels with turn and bounce. Her recent form with Perth Scorchers suggests she can make an immediate impact, potentially changing the outcomes of tight matches in a league known for high scores.
Alana King mentioned she has always looked up to Shane Warne as her biggest cricket inspiration. On being asked about the most dangerous batter she’s bowled to, she said India’s opener Smriti Mandhana and English cricketer Nat Sciver-Brunt are the toughest to bowl though King’s eyes light up recalling how she got one of the best moment of her career against South Africa in her epic 7/18 World Cup haul a moment that felt like poetic justice after plenty of tense tussles.
With the WPL starting this week, when asked about playing under Jemimah Rodrigues, who powered India to victory over Australia in semi-finals of ICC ODI World Cup 2025, King expressed she can’t wait to have the experience.
Reflecting on the India semifinal and their World Cup glory, King said, “Losing a semifinal always hurts, especially in a World Cup. One game doesn’t define a team, but those games are hard to take. Credit to India—they outplayed us in a really important match and deserved to go on to win the World Cup.”
“It’s massive. For India to win a World Cup will do a world of good for the women’s game, not just in India but around the world. Moments like that inspire young girls and help grow the game globally.”
Delhi Capitals now have a mix of youth and experience from the Australian players. With King’s skills, they hope to pursue WPL silverware after suffering heartbreaks in the finals. Her journey from a brief stint with Warriorz to becoming a World Cup star showcases her resilience.
With Australia’s dominance in white-ball cricket behind her, fans can expect significant contributions from King that could change the team’s future. As WPL 2026 unfolds, King’s fantastic skill across formats positions her as a game changer, turning heads and inspiring a new generation of spin bowlers in women’s cricket.
(Quotes sourced from TOI)
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