Women’s Premier League (WPL) return for its fourth edition in 2026, and Delhi Capitals (DC) Entering a new era. After finishing as runners-up three times in a row, the franchise has hit the reset button on its leadership by appointing jemima rodrigues As captain after the release of meg lanningWith a mix of explosive Indian talent and world-class foreign stars, DC is once again in search of that elusive first title,
Withdrawals and new faces in DC
The preparations for WPL 2026 have not been without drama for the Capitals. The franchise retained a strong core but suffered a significant setback a few weeks before the tournament.
star australian allrounder Annabel SutherlandWho was retained for ₹2.2 crore, withdrew from the tournament citing personal reasons. Sutherland was a key cog in DC’s pace attack and lower-order batting. Acting swiftly, DC signs Australian leg spinner alana king As a replacement for Sutherland. King brings extensive T20 experience and adds a new dimension to the spin department, although the team sacrifices some fast bowling depth with this change.
In mega auction, DC strengthens its squad by signing South African captain Laura Wolvaardt (₹1.10 crore) and West Indies power-hitter chenille henry (₹1.30 crore). He also invested heavily in domestic talent and selected all-rounders Nallapureddy Sri Charani For ₹1.30 crore.
DC’s best playing XI for WPL 2026
1. Shafali Verma
- Role:Opening Batter
- Strength:explosive power-kill
- what does she bring: Shefali remains the X-factor on top. His ability to dismantle the bowling attack in the powerplay allows DC to dictate the pace early. Without Lanning, he will need to take on a little more responsibility while maintaining his natural aggression.
2. Laura Wolvaardt (expat)
- Role: opening batter
- Strength: Technical class and stability
- What she brings: “Cover Drive Queen” is the perfect thing for Shafali. Wolvaardt brings stability and experience to the top order. She can take over the innings if wickets fall early or accelerate effortlessly when set, ensuring the team posts competitive scores.
3. Jemimah Rodrigues (Captain)
- Role: top order batsman
- Strength: Gap-piercing and strike rotation
- what does she bring: Now captain Jemimah is the heartbeat of this team. His hectic play keeps the scoreboard ticking in the middle overs and neutralizes spin effectively. His leadership will be tested, but his tactical understanding of the game has always been sharp.
4. Marijane Kapp (expat)
- Role: pace bowling allrounder
- Strength: swing bowling and clutch temperament
- What she brings: Kapp is arguably the most valuable player in this format. She always takes wickets in the powerplay with her swing and acts as a reliable finisher with the bat. He is a fierce competitor that the team runs around.
5. Chinelle Henry (Immigrant)
- Role: seam bowling allrounder
- Strength: Athleticism and hard-hitting
- What she brings: Filling the void of fast bowling all-rounder left by Sutherland, Henry brings Caribbean flair. She hits the “heavy ball” as a bowler (good for hitting hard on the deck) and can easily cross the boundary at the end of the innings.
6. Sneh Rana
- Role: spin bowling allrounder
- Strength: Flexibility and off-spin
- What she brings: Rana, a smart buy in the auction, added a lot of depth. She is a partnership breaker with the ball and a strong batsman who can prevent collapse. His experience effectively replaces the domestic all-round value of players like Radha Yadav.
7. Tania Bhatia
- Role: wicket keeper
- Strength:glove work
- what does she bring: While her batting is often a subject of debate, Tanya is arguably one of India’s best net keepers. On turning tracks, his lightning-fast stumpings are crucial. DC will hope that she can contribute quick runs down the order when needed.
8. Meenu Mani
- Role: Off spinner/batting allrounder
- Strength: flight and turn
- What she brings: International performance has boosted the confidence of this Kerala cricketer. As a left-handed batsman, she offers a tactical advantage against leg spinners and off spinners, and her bowling is tight and economical.
Also read: Meg Lanning is considering her appointment as UP Warriors captain for WPL 2026
9. Alana King (Immigrant)
- Role: leg spinner
- Strength: Controls and Variations
- What she brings: King, who comes as Sutherland’s replacement, is a major upgrade in the spin department. She is a real wicket-taking bowler who attacks the stumps. His ability to bowl difficult overs makes him suitable for the playing eleven.
10. Nallapureddy Sri Charani
- Role: left arm spinner
- Strength: accuracy and homely form
- What she brings: With a price tag of ₹1.30 crore, expectations are high. He offers the vital left-handed conservative angle that teams seek to counter right-handed heavy lineups. She represents an injection of “youth” into the bowling attack.
11. Nandani Sharma
- Role:medium pacer
- Strength: Swing
- what does she bring: With the Indian fast bowlers in the team being light, Nandini Sharma is likely to get the nod to support Kapp and Henry. His primary task will be to bowl a disciplined line in the middle overs and not leak runs during the spin attack.
Also read: Aakash Chopra predicts the winner and Orange Cap holder for the WPL 2026 edition
This article was first published here WomenCricket.comA Cricket Times Company.
