Delhi Capitals have established themselves as the most consistently dominant side in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), yet they remain the tournament’s most unlucky team when it comes to the final hurdle. Since the league’s inception in 2023, the Capitals have finished as the table-toppers in all three seasons, qualifying directly for the final every single time with an impressive overall record of 17 wins and 10 losses across 27 matches. Despite this remarkable consistency, they have suffered three consecutive defeats in the summit clash—losing to Mumbai Indians in 2023 and 2025, and to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2024.
Their journey has been defined by stellar individual performances, from Meg Lanning’s record nine half-centuries and 952 runs to Marizanne Kapp’s league-leading economy rate of 5.89 and six career maidens. As they transition into 2026 under the new captaincy of Jemimah Rodrigues, the Capitals carry a legacy of being the team to beat during the group stages, but one still searching for that elusive maiden title. Below we discuss the 5 players who could not only define the season but help the team go all the way.
Jemimah Rodrigues
Jemimah Rodrigues is the tactical glue of Delhi Capitals’ batting unit, also taking on the mantle of captaincy for the 2026 season. In her 27 WPL appearances, she has accumulated 507 runs, showcasing her elite ability to manipulate the field and find gaps with surgical precision. While she is known for her anchoring role, her strike rate of 139.66 during her most recent campaigns shows she has added a much more aggressive dimension to her game. Beyond the numbers, Jemimah’s value lies in her big-game temperament and leadership, qualities that make her one of the most reliable middle-order batters in the competition.
Shafali Verma
Shafali Verma continues to be the most feared opener in the league, bringing a see-ball, hit-ball philosophy that puts every bowling attack on the back foot from the very first delivery. Over 27 WPL matches, she has hammered 865 runs with a jaw-dropping strike rate of 162.59, the kind of intent that defines Delhi Capitals’ top-order. Her average of 36.04 and a collection of six half-centuries, including the best of 84 against RCB, prove that her aggression is backed by genuine consistency. Having cleared the boundary for 49 sixes already, Shafali enters the 2026 season not just as a power-hitter, but as a proven match-winner who can take the game away in the first six overs.
Marizanne Kapp
Marizanne Kapp remains the ultimate warrior all-rounder, a player who can single-handedly dominate with both the new ball and the bat. Her bowling is arguably her greatest weapon, having maintained a tournament-best economy rate of 5.89 and recording standout figures of 5/15 with 28 wickets to her name so far in WPL history. With the bat, she has been equally clinical, tallying 362 runs across 24 matches at an average that reflects her ability to finish an innings with power. Whether she is taking early wickets in the powerplay or delivering a fighting knock under pressure—like her 40 off 26 in the 2025 final—Kapp is the experienced engine room that the Capitals will lean on for the 2026 title.
Laura Wolvaardt
Laura Wolvaardt brings an unmatched level of class and technical brilliance to the top of the order, making her a vital asset for Delhi Capitals following her move from Gujarat Giants. Across 13 WPL matches, she has accumulated 342 runs at an average of 26.30, proving she can anchor an innings while others play around her. Her career-best score of 76 against RCB highlights her ability to dominate even the best bowling attacks, and she maintains a healthy strike rate of 125.73. With three half-centuries already to her name in the league, Wolvaardt is a seasoned campaigner who provides both stability and leadership experience. As she heads into the 2026 season, her ability to find the boundary with surgical precision will be key to Delhi’s quest for the title.
Chinelle Henry
Chinelle Henry is the definition of an impact player, joining Delhi Capitals after a breakout 2025 season where she emerged as one of the tournament’s most explosive all-rounders. In just 7 WPL matches, she has already hammered 163 runs at a staggering strike rate of 196.38, even securing the Super Striker of the Season award. Her ability to change a game in minutes was on full display when she smashed an 18-ball half-century, equalling the record for the fastest fifty in the tournament. Beyond her power-hitting, she is a handy medium-fast bowler who claimed 6 wickets in her debut season, proving her worth as a genuine match-winner in both departments. With a WPL-best score of 62 and a habit of delivering clutch performances, Henry brings that signature Caribbean flair and explosive energy to the 2026 Capitals lineup.
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