The Women’s Premier League (WPL) returns for its fourth edition in 2026, and the Delhi Capitals (DC) are entering a new era. After three consecutive runner-up finishes, the franchise has hit the reset button on its leadership, appointing Jemimah Rodrigues as captain following the release of Meg Lanning. With a blend of explosive Indian talent and world-class overseas stars, DC are once again hunting for that elusive maiden title.
Withdrawals and new faces in DC
The build-up to WPL 2026 has not been without drama for the Capitals. The franchise retained a strong core but faced a significant setback just weeks before the tournament.
Star Australian all-rounder Annabel Sutherland, who was retained for ₹2.2 crore, withdrew from the tournament citing personal reasons. Sutherland was a vital cog in DC’s pace attack and lower-order batting. Acting swiftly, DC signed Australian leg-spinner Alana King as Sutherland’s replacement. King brings extensive T20 experience and adds a new dimension to the spin department, though the team sacrifices some pace-bowling depth with this swap.
In the mega auction, DC bolstered their squad by signing South African captain Laura Wolvaardt (₹1.10 Cr) and West Indies power-hitter Chinelle Henry (₹1.30 Cr). They also invested heavily in domestic talent, picking up all-rounder Nallapureddy Shree Charani for ₹1.30 Cr.
DC’s best playing XI for WPL 2026
1. Shafali Verma
- Role: Opening batter
- Strength: Explosive power-hitting
- What she brings: Shafali remains the X-factor at the top. Her ability to dismantle bowling attacks in the Powerplay allows DC to dictate the tempo early. Without Lanning, she will need to take slightly more responsibility while maintaining her natural aggression.
2. Laura Wolvaardt (Overseas)
- Role: Opening batter
- Strength: Technical class & consistency
- What she brings: The “Cover Drive Queen” is the perfect foil for Shafali. Wolvaardt brings stability and experience to the top order. She can anchor the innings if wickets fall early or accelerate effortlessly when set, ensuring the team posts competitive totals.
3. Jemimah Rodrigues (Captain)
- Role: Top-order batter
- Strength: Gap-piercing & strike rotation
- What she brings: Now the captain, Jemimah is the heartbeat of this team. Her busy game keeps the scoreboard ticking in the middle overs, neutralizing spin effectively. Her leadership will be tested, but her tactical reading of the game has always been sharp.
4. Marizanne Kapp (Overseas)
- Role: Pace Bowling All-rounder
- Strength: Swing Bowling & Clutch Temperament
- What she brings: Kapp is arguably the most valuable player in the format. She invariably picks up wickets in the Powerplay with her swing and serves as a reliable finisher with the bat. She is the fierce competitor the team rallies around.
5. Chinelle Henry (Overseas)
- Role: Seam Bowling All-rounder
- Strength: Athleticism & Hard-hitting
- What she brings: Filling the fast-bowling all-rounder void left by Sutherland, Henry brings Caribbean flair. She hits a “heavy ball” as a bowler (good for hitting the deck hard) and can clear the boundary with ease late in the innings.
6. Sneh Rana
- Role: Spin Bowling All-rounder
- Strength: Resilience & Off-spin
- What she brings: A shrewd buy at the auction, Rana adds immense depth. She is a partnership breaker with the ball and a gritty batter who can stop a collapse. Her experience effectively replaces the domestic all-round value of players like Radha Yadav.
7. Taniya Bhatia
- Role: Wicketkeeper
- Strength: Glovework
- What she brings: While her batting is often a topic of debate, Taniya is arguably one of the best pure keepers in India. On turning tracks, her lightning-fast stumpings are crucial. DC will hope she can contribute quick runs down the order if required.
8. Minnu Mani
- Role: Off-spinner / Batting All-rounder
- Strength: Flight & Turn
- What she brings: The Kerala cricketer has grown in confidence with international exposure. As a left-handed batter, she offers a tactical advantage against leg-spinners and off-spinners, and her bowling is tidy and economical.
Also READ: Meg Lanning reflects on her appointment as UP Warriorz captain for WPL 2026
9. Alana King (Overseas)
- Role: Leg Spinner
- Strength: Control & Variations
- What she brings: Coming in as Sutherland’s replacement, King is a massive upgrade to the spin department. She is a genuine wicket-taker who attacks the stumps. Her ability to bowl the difficult overs makes her a lock for the playing XI.
10. Nallapureddy Shree Charani
- Role: Left-arm Spinner
- Strength: Accuracy & Domestic Form
- What she brings: With a price tag of ₹1.30 Cr, expectations are high. She offers the vital left-arm orthodox angle that teams crave to counter right-handed heavy lineups. She represents the “youth” injection into the bowling attack.
11. Nandani Sharma
- Role: Medium Pacer
- Strength: Swing
- What she brings: With the squad light on Indian pacers, Nandani Sharma is likely to get the nod to support Kapp and Henry. Her primary job will be to bowl disciplined lines in the middle overs and not leak runs while the spinners attack.
Also READ: Aakash Chopra predicts the winner and Orange Cap holder for WPL 2026 edition
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
