The Delhi Capitals are yet again on the verge of creating history as they are one step away from clinching the first-ever title for the Delhi based franchise in the Indian franchise league. They’ve been the most consistent side in the Women’s Premier League since the past couple of seasons. This is their third consecutive entry into the Finals but the biggest question mark for the Lanning-led side is will they finally cross the finishing line and step up to receive the laurels?
The 2025 season so far has witnessed the same story. Contributions from everyone either with the bat or ball made them the first team to qualify for the playoffs with five wins from 8 games. Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning led the charge with the bat with 300 & 263 runs respectively. Jess Jonassen and Shikha Pandey have been excellent performers with the ball, playing a pivotal role in keeping the run-rate in-check.
The Capitals will be playing the finale after a gap of six days, having previously played against Gujarat Giants, where they fell short by 5 wickets. The finale will also feature the team for the first time in the Mumbai leg of the tournament. On being asked about whether the 6-day gap can hinder the momentum of the team, Jemimah Rodrigues in the press conference said, “I think talking about the gap is actually working for our team. We’ve had a lot of team bonding sessions, and at the same time, the Women’s Premier League was quite hectic for us.
“We played back-to-back games, traveled, and played. So, getting this break is honestly a good thing—at least that’s how I look at it, and I think the team sees it the same way. It has worked to our advantage, and we’ve also had good practice sessions on the Mumbai pitches to get used to the conditions. Sometimes, it’s nice to have this break. And we’re ready for the finals. The team is looking forward to it.
“We’ve prepared well, and while this year hasn’t been the smoothest for us—unlike the last two seasons—this team never gives up. Like I said in one of my interviews, we’re going to come back stronger this year. You asked about playing directly in Mumbai—only one game there—whether that would be a disadvantage. Honestly, most of our team has played on these pitches, but overall, everyone’s pretty familiar with the conditions.”
Jemimah mentioned that they had solid practice sessions during the break, which helped them adjust. She added that playing in Mumbai is a batter’s dream, as the outfield is fast, and if the ball is timed well, it races to the boundary. She emphasized that the team is looking forward to it and that the bowlers have also been working on their plans.
When asked about her own personal form of the season, having experienced hot and cold patches, the vice-captain said that last year was very different from this year, as they played in different conditions this time. She added that, simply put, she is saving the best for the finals.
Since the inception of the league, Delhi Capitals has been in sublime touch. The team has finished at the top of the points tally and have straightaway booked a place in the final. On being interviewed about the legacy and attitude of skipper Meg Lanning, Rodrigues said, “The thing I love about Meg Lanning, and something I would like to incorporate into my own game—not exactly the same way, but in my own way—is how she remains calm yet aggressive at the same time. As a leader, that’s a crucial quality to have.
“I remember asking her after a game last year—it was against RCB, and we won by just one run—I asked, ‘Meg, weren’t you nervous?’ Because she looked absolutely calm, like she had a poker face. She told me, ‘If only you knew what was happening inside! But then she also said something that stuck with me: ‘As a captain, it’s important to set the tone for the team. If I stay calm, I know my team will stay calm.’ That made a lot of sense to me, and it’s something I want to carry forward—staying composed while being aggressive on the field.
“I also once asked her about captaining at a young age, especially with so many seniors in the Australian team. She admitted it wasn’t easy but said, ‘I realized I didn’t have to do everything alone. I could ask for help, make people feel involved and important. That helped me learn from them and also get along with everyone.’ That advice really stayed with me—you figure out your own way as you go.”
Sarah Bryce became the second Scottish player to be a part of the league, succeeding her sister Kathryn Bryce who has previously played for the Gujarat Giants. On being asked about the moments shared with Bryce in the dressing room, Jemimah Rodrigues said, “Sarah Bryce is the kind of player you want on your team. She’s warm, kind, and just has this presence that makes you feel good about yourself and about life.
“Of course, we all know what she can do with the bat. We’ve seen it in the Big Bash League and here as well. She adds balance to our batting lineup with her stroke play. But beyond that, she’s just one of the nicest people to have in a team. Every time I’m around her; I can’t help but feel happy and positive about everything.”
The Capitals have fallen short of making the podium in the first two seasons. In season one, they were beaten by Mumbai Indians while Smriti Mandhana-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru bagged the win in the finale by convincing command. On making it to the finals for the third consecutive time, she said, “Honestly, this team never makes us feel like we are under pressure—whether it’s from the support staff or the players. That’s the best part of being with the Delhi Capitals.
“Yes, we all know what happened in the last two seasons, but this is cricket—anything can happen. It just takes one year, one night, for things to change. Everyone is very positive, very excited. No one’s thinking about the past. We just want to go out there, enjoy ourselves, and play good cricket. We love this team, and we’re going to give it our all on final’s night.”
Shafali Verma has taken the onus with Meg Lanning in the opening role and has taken the bowlers to the cleaners while firing on all cylinders. Applauding the role of Shafali Verma, who has batted with much responsibility, she said, “Shafali Verma is such an inspiration—the way she has come back, not just returned, but the way she’s performed with her strike rate and impact for the team. It speaks volumes about her character. It’s easy to keep performing when things are going well. But to be dropped and then make a comeback like she did—that takes resilience. Hats off to her. I can’t wait to see her back in the Indian team soon.”
Jemimah added that Meg Lanning is someone who always wants to win, but what sets her apart is the clarity she has—she knows exactly what she wants from the team. She explained that while winning is important, Lanning always emphasizes focusing on what needs to be done. Even in team meetings, her instructions are crystal clear, whether for the bowlers or the batters. Jemimah noted that Lanning drives the energy in the team, encourages a positive approach, and ensures that everyone is taken along in the process, which she believes has been key to their success.
On being asked about the turning point in the entire season “I don’t remember the exact moment, but I remember the feeling after we lost to RCB. The team wasn’t feeling like DC. But then we came together, spoke about what needed to be done, and focused on bringing our own energy. That turning point happened in Bangalore. I remember Sutherland taking a catch, and before that, Minnu Mani diving to save four runs. That’s when it felt like DC again. From there, our bowlers looked sharper, the fielding was energetic, and we carried that momentum forward. I think it was against MI that it really clicked, and that’s when we felt like ourselves again.”
Shikha Pandey has led the pace battery and may well be knocking the doors of Indian selection again. The vice-captain said, “Shikha Pandey has been a class act this season. She always delivers in crucial moments, nails her yorkers, and is instrumental in our success. I’ve played with her in other franchises too, and she thrives under pressure. She’s incredibly disciplined—whether it’s maintaining a routine, writing in her diary, hitting the gym, or working on her batting. She never stops improving, and that’s what sets her apart.”
On being asked whether the Impact Player rule, which is currently in use in the Indian Premier League, should be applied in the WPL as well, the prolific batter did not support the notion. She stated that she is not a huge fan of the rule and prefers the traditional way of playing cricket. While acknowledging its purpose, she pointed out that it can sometimes feel unfair, especially to bowlers who have performed well, only for a specialist batter to come in fresh at the end. She added that she would personally prefer to play the way they do in international cricket, as it helps them prepare better.
On being asked about the strategies before the grand finale, Rodrigues said that they believe in keeping cricket simple, as overcomplicating things can make it harder. She emphasized that trusting their processes and strengths is what will get them the results they want.
The WPL has been a groundbreaking initiative for the girls in the country. Jemimah added, “The WPL is the best thing to have happened to Indian women’s cricket. These are the kinds of high-pressure matches we need to grow. Even after the first WPL, the domestic circuit improved significantly. After the second, it got even better. And now, we’re seeing things we’ve never seen before—like a 390-run chase in a domestic 50-over match. The exposure WPL provides, even to those who don’t play in it, is invaluable. It sets a standard, raises the level of cricket, and prepares players for international pressure situations. If we want Indian women’s cricket to keep growing, we need more of this.”
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