The roar of a packed stadium, the floodlights blazing on January 10, 2026, as Jemimah Rodrigues strides out for the toss in her first game as Delhi Capitals skipper. At 25 years and 127 days, the Mumbai firecracker has just become the youngest captain in Women’s Premier League history. Standing on her home ground against Mumbai Indians she made her captaincy debut, she won the toss and opted to bowl. Batting first Mumbai Indians put 195 on board, but DC’s chase to 196 ended at 145 all out a gritty scrap that screamed fightback under new leadership.
It’s a massive leap for Rodrigues, who takes over from Aussie legend Meg Lanning after three seasons following the mega auction. The right-hand middle-order batter, hailing from Mumbai, Maharashtra, has been DC’s heartbeat since day one. Across 28 WPL matches, she piled up 508 runs at a scorching 138 strike rate, laced with three fifties. Delhi Capitals got a leader who walks the talk. In WT20Is, 115 games yield 2,479 runs at 117 proves she’s no stranger to high stakes.
Youth hasn’t held her back; it’s fueled her. Rodrigues’ elegant cover drives and cheeky ramps have lit up WPL grounds, but captaincy adds steel. That game against MI wasn’t an ideal start, but her consistency and hard work will prove her as a wonderful leader. Sure, defeat was a bit hard, but it was clinical resistance, exactly what a young captain needs to build on.
Jemimah Rodrigues becomes WPL’s youngest captain at 25 years! 🫡#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/UYIDkg9rkW
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 10, 2026
She’s not alone in this club of precocious leaders. Smriti Mandhana, the left-hand opener, holds the second spot at 26 years and 230 days, debuting as RCB captain in the WPL’s 2023 launch against DC on March 5. Smriti’s ledger shows 27 WPL games, 664 runs at 128 strike rate; WT20Is boast 157 matches and 4,102 runs at 124. Both Indian stars are grabbing the reins early, turning pressure into poise, experience into edge.
What makes Rodrigues special is at her core, she’s resilient, innovative, and inspiring. She is the vibe of the team who spreads positivity. This isn’t just a record; it’s a torch passed to India’s women. As WPL’s fourth season unfolds, expect bolder calls, fearless chases, and a DC side playing with Rodrigues’ infectious vibe. Delhi Capitals is the only team to play all the WPL finals, they played the initial three finals under Meg Lanning unfortunately they are yet to lift the trophy. The youngest captain has large shoes to fill. Jemimah will try to take her team to 4th consecutive WPL finals and hopefully will lead DC to lift the trophy this season.
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