With the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 Eliminator approaching, featuring Gujarat Giants against Delhi Capitals, the anticipation is palpable. This showdown isn’t just another match; it’s a pivotal moment that will hinge on leadership, experience, and raw talent. Within the Capitals’ squad, three players are particularly noteworthy for their ability to rise in critical moments: Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Marizanne Kapp.
Shafali Verma
Shafali Verma has long moved beyond being labeled merely as a promising young player. Since she made her mark as India’s youngest ever T20 player, she’s become a vital part of the Capitals’ top order. Over her WPL career, she has amassed over 1,000 runs, boasting an impressive tally of 1,073 runs at an average of around 33.5, including seven fifties and leading the league in sixes. In the current WPL 2026 season, her contributions have been central to Delhi’s success, showcasing her explosive batting while also proving a steady influence, scoring 208 runs in 8 innings. On her best days, she can completely turn a match around, a challenge that the Giants will need to address if they want to avoid an early exit.
Jemimah Rodrigues
If Shafali is the team’s spark, then Jemimah Rodrigues is undoubtedly its guiding compass. Now the captain for the 2026 season, Jemimah’s leadership is marked by a calmness that shines through even under pressure. Jemimah has scored 673 runs in 32 innings, along with four half-centuries. Her batting this season has been steady and impactful, including a crucial 34 not out off 18 balls that ensured Delhi’s playoff qualification. In this season she has scored 166 runs in 8 innings with a strike-rate of 131.74. Jemimah’s captaincy will face its toughest test here, how she manages her players, orchestrates her bowlers, and times her batting order will undoubtedly be a key narrative in this must-win match.
Marizanne Kapp
In the fast-paced world of T20 cricket, match-winners often come from the all-rounders who can shift the momentum. Marizanne Kapp exemplifies this role for Delhi. An experienced campaigner with extensive leadership across global leagues, Kapp maintains a calm demeanour that can either soothe nerves or apply pressure when needed. Kapp has claimed 38 wickets in 32 innings with the best figure of 5/15. Throughout this season, she has proven to be a reliable bowler, adept at taking crucial wickets and controlling the flow of runs. She has taken 10 wickets in 8 innings. In the significant victory over UP Warriorz that secured Delhi’s place in the Eliminator, Kapp’s sharp bowling (3/30) complemented her captain’s strategy.
This Eliminator represents more than just a game; it’s a turning point. While the Giants come armed with their share of skilled players, the weight of expectations rests heavily on the shoulders of Shafali, Jemimah, and Kapp. Their contributions, Shafali’s explosive starts, Jemimah’s calm leadership, and Kapp’s versatile all-round play, create a story that stretches beyond mere statistics; it’s about the Delhi Capitals declaring their intent to be in the title hunt. In knockout cricket, it’s often not the star players who capture all the attention, but those who are quietly working to shape the destiny of the game.
Loves all things female cricket