Jemimah Rodrigues is poised to step into the biggest leadership role of her career yet set to be named Delhi Capitals’ captain for Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 in the post Meg Lanning era. The 25-year-old India batter, already a central figure in Delhi’s middle-order, now becomes the face of a franchise that has reached every WPL final but is still chasing its first title.
The move aligns perfectly with the franchise’s clear push for an Indian captain, confirmed by co-owner Parth Jindal after the WPL 2026 auction. Despite signing South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt as a major overseas acquisition, the Delhi management clarified she would not lead the side, instead adding experience and stability at the top.
That stance effectively opened the captaincy door for Jemimah Rodrigues or even Shafali Verma, India’s inaugural U19 World Cup-winning captain, whose blend of maturity, tactical awareness, and big match temperament makes them the most natural choice in the squad. However, Cricbuzz has reported that Jemimah Rodrigues is set to lead Delhi Capitals in WPL 2026.
Rodrigues’ WPL numbers back up her elevation. Across 27 matches, she has scored 507 runs at an average of 28.16 and a strike rate of 139, with three half centuries and the highest score of 69* anchoring multiple Delhi chases. Her ability to control tempo, rotate strike, and finish innings has made her the fulcrum of Delhi’s middle order, especially on slower tracks where timing and game reading matter more than brute power.
Beyond the league, Jemimah’s reputation as a big occasion performer has only grown. Her match winning knock against Australia in the recent World Cup semifinal dragged India into the final in what was a defining moment, showcasing her composure under pressure and sense of responsibility in crunch chases. Those qualities mirror what Meg Lanning once brought to Delhi: calm in chaos, clarity in tricky situations, and an innate feel for when to attack or absorb.
For Delhi Capitals, WPL 2026 represents both continuity and reset. They have been the team to beat, finishing runners-up in 2023, 2024, and 2025, topping the table after group games. With WPL starting on January 9 and Delhi’s first game scheduled for January 10 against Mumbai Indians, the franchise is desperate to convert finals heartbreak into historic win this season. Jemimah now carries the dual responsibility of orchestrating their batting and shaping the team core.
Delhi Capitals’ WPL 2026 squad features a strong blend of Indian core and overseas quality, including Annabel Sutherland, Chinelle Henry, Deeya Yadav, Jemimah Rodrigues, Laura Wolvaardt, Lizelle Lee, Lucy Hamilton, Mamatha Madiwala, Marizanne Kapp, Minnu Mani, Nandini Sharma, Niki Prasad, Sree Charani, Sneh Rana, Shafali Verma, and Taniya Bhatia.
Leading Delhi Capitals will test Rodrigues tactically, emotionally, and physically, but it also feels like the natural next step in her evolution. For a franchise still hunting its first trophy and a player who has repeatedly shouldered India in knockouts, WPL 2026 could be the season where both stories finally meet at the podium.
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