Delhi Capitals Eye Jemimah Rodrigues for Captaincy Role Ahead of WPL 2026: Report

Delhi Capitals Women are set to appoint Jemimah Rodrigues as their captain from WPL 2026, with a formal announcement expected on December 23.

Rodrigues will replace Meg Lanning, who was released by DC before the WPL 2026 mega auction and later picked up by UP Warriorz for ₹1.9 crore.

The move follows the franchise’s clear plan to shift to an Indian captain. DC co-owner Parth Jindal had earlier confirmed that the team wanted to build its leadership group around an Indian player.

“I think we are very clear that we would like to have an Indian as the captain,” Jindal had said, while also pointing to added leadership support within the squad.

Rodrigues has been part of the franchise since day one and was DC’s first-ever signing in the WPL. Over three seasons, she has grown into one of the side’s most reliable batters.

She is DC’s third-highest run-getter in the league, scoring 507 runs at a strike rate of 139.66. Only Lanning and Shafali Verma have scored more runs for the franchise.

Her case for leadership was further boosted by her recent performances for India. Rodrigues hit a match-winning century in the semi-final of India’s World Cup-winning campaign, underlining her calmness in big games.

Delhi Capitals have reached the final in all three WPL seasons so far but finished runners-up each time. The franchise now hopes Rodrigues can help them cross the final hurdle in 2026.

She will have strong support in the dressing room, including experienced overseas players like Laura Wolvaardt, who is expected to add leadership depth even without the captaincy role.

The appointment marks a planned transition rather than a sudden change. DC are betting on continuity, Indian leadership, and Rodrigues’ growing influence to finally deliver a WPL title.