Delhi Capitals have announced a change in leadership ahead of the 2026 Women’s Premier League, appointing Jemimah Rodrigues as their new captain. The decision was confirmed on Tuesday, December 23, following the franchise’s move to release Meg Lanning, who had led the side through the first three WPL seasons, ahead of the auction.
Rodrigues has been part of the Capitals setup since the inaugural edition and was the team’s first signing at the auction. Across 27 WPL matches, she has accumulated 507 runs at an average of 28.16, striking at an impressive 139.66, including three half-centuries. However, her returns in the three WPL finals have been modest, with scores of 0, 9, and 30, as Delhi fell short on each occasion.
She will now be eager to guide the Capitals to their first title if they reach the final again. In the international arena, Rodrigues has featured in 113 T20Is, scoring 2,444 runs at an average of 30.93 with a strike rate of 117.33. The Mumbai-born batter was pivotal in India’s World Cup triumph, smashing a composed 127 in the record semi-final chase against Australia.
“I’ve Learned A Lot And Shared Special Moments With Delhi Capitals” – Jemimah Rodrigues
Reacting to her appointment as captain, Rodrigues expressed gratitude to the owners for trusting her with the leadership role. The right-hander added that she was excited to build new memories alongside the fresh faces in the squad. As quoted on the franchise’s official website, she said:
“It is an absolute honour to be named captain of the Delhi Capitals, and I am deeply grateful to the owners and the support staff for placing their faith in me to lead this team. It has truly been a dream year for me and my family, winning the World Cup and now being entrusted with this wonderful opportunity at a franchise that has held a very special place in my heart since the very first season of the WPL.”
“I have learned so much over the last three years and have shared some of my best moments with the Delhi Capitals. This team is my family. While I will miss the players who were part of our journey in the first cycle, I am excited to create new memories with both familiar faces and new teammates.”
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