WPL 2026: Jemimah Rodrigues Appointed Delhi Capitals Captain
In a major development ahead of the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL), Jemimah Rodrigues has been appointed captain of the Delhi Capitals Women’s team. The announcement was made on December 23, 2025, with the franchise reaffirming its commitment to promoting Indian leadership and building on her strong performances both domestically and internationally.
Rodrigues replaces Meg Lanning, who led the Capitals to the finals in each of the first three WPL seasons but was not retained by the team ahead of WPL 2026.
Rodrigues’ appointment comes after the franchise decided to move in a new direction, releasing Meg Lanning—who led the team to three consecutive finals—ahead of the mega auction. Despite interest in South African captain Laura Wolvaardt, the DC management, led by Parth Jindal, remained firm on appointing an Indian leader.
“It is an absolute honour,” Rodrigues said. “This team is my family. We have been so close to the trophy for three years; now the goal is to finally cross that finish line.”
Jemimah Rodrigues: Profile & Career Highlights
Cricketing Background
- Age: 25 years
- Batting Style: Right-handed
- Role: Batter (finisher)
- International Career: Over 100 T20Is and nearly 60 ODIs for India
Rodrigues has been an important member of the Indian women’s team, known for her elegant strokeplay and ability to anchor or accelerate innings as needed.
World Cup Heroics
Rodrigues enjoyed a standout 2025, including a crucial 127 in India’s historic ODI World Cup semi-final win over Australia*, which helped propel India into the final.
WPL Career Before Captaincy (Jemimah Rodrigues)
- Matches: 27 (all for Delhi Capitals)
- Runs Scored: 507
- Strike Rate: ~139.6
- Appearances in Finals: All three WPL finals
Rodrigues has been a consistent performer for the Capitals and is third on the franchise’s all-time run list behind Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma. .”
WPL & Career Statistics (Jemimah Rodrigues)
| Category | WPL Stats (DC) | T20I Stats (India) |
| Matches | 27 | 113 |
| Runs Scored | 507 | 2,444 |
| Strike Rate | 139.67 | 114.20 |
| Average | ~25.00 | 30.93 |
| Highest Score | 69* | 76 |
| 50s / 100s | 3 / 0 | 14 / 0 |
Highlight: In 2025, Jemimah scored a career-defining 127* against Australia in the World Cup semi-final, leading India to a record-breaking chase of 339.
WPL 2026 Squad & Leadership Context
The WPL 2026 season — the fourth edition of India’s premier women’s franchise T20 tournament — features five teams: Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Giants, and UP Warriorz. The tournament is scheduled to take place from early January to early February 2026.
Captains (Confirmed or Expected)
| Team | Captain (2026) |
|---|---|
| Delhi Capitals | Jemimah Rodrigues (newly appointed) |
| Mumbai Indians Women | Harmanpreet Kaur |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Smriti Mandhana |
| Gujarat Giants Women | Ashleigh Gardner |
| UP Warriorz Women | Meg Lanning (likely retained leadership) |
Note: While official announcements have confirmed Rodrigues for Delhi Capitals, other captains are based on retention lists and prior leadership roles.
WPL 2026 Statistics & Storylines
Delhi Capitals Team Stats (Pre-Captaincy Change)
- Final Appearances: 3 (2023, 2024, 2025) — runners-up each season
- Championships: None yet
- Historic Strengths: Strong batting depth (Verma, Wolvaardt) & international bowling options (Kapp, Sutherland).
Rodrigues inherits a franchise that has shown consistent performance but is still chasing its first WPL title.
Comparison with Other WPL Captains
Harmanpreet Kaur — Mumbai Indians Women
- Veteran leader with multiple WPL titles (Mumbai Indians have won at least one title previously).
- Brings international captaincy experience and tactical awareness.
- Strong batting leader and mainstay of MI’s lineup.
Smriti Mandhana — Royal Challengers Bengaluru
- Led RCB to the 2024 WPL title with excellent captaincy.
- Known for consistent attacking batting and game reading.
- Offers stability and strategic leadership.
Ashleigh Gardner — Gujarat Giants Women
- Aggressive all-rounder captain, leading a restructured Giants lineup.
- Adds on-field cricketing nous and match-winning ability.
Meg Lanning — UP Warriorz Women
- World-class leader and batter, bringing vast franchise experience.
- Experienced campaigner with elite leadership credentials.
What Rodrigues’ Captaincy Means for WPL 2026
Rodrigues’ promotion marks a strategic shift for Delhi Capitals, emphasizing a transition to Indian leadership and leveraging her recent form and big-match temperament. Her appointment is also symbolic of the growing trust in homegrown leaders in high-profile T20 leagues.
Her captaincy will be closely watched, especially given:
- The Capitals’ quest to win their first WPL title
- Her burgeoning international experience and domestic success
- The league’s increasing competitive depth
Conclusion
Jemimah Rodrigues’ elevation to Delhi Capitals captain ahead of WPL 2026 is a defining moment for both her career and the franchise. Bringing strong batting pedigree, youthful energy, and tactical growth, she joins an elite roster of leaders in the WPL, poised to drive her team toward elusive glory.
