JEMIMAH Rodrigues has been announced the captain of Delhi Capitals ahead of the fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League. The official confirmation came on Tuesday (December 23).
“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,” the 25-year-old said in a statement.
“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.
We have a strong group, and I can’t wait to get going as we look ahead to what we hope will be a very successful season, and finally cross that line that has eluded us in the last three years.”
The Delhi-based franchise had entered the WPL 2026 mega auction after releasing former skipper Meg Lanning for the two-year cycle, while retaining the India batter, also their vice-captain, as a part of their five-player core. The star of India’s recent World Cup 2025 semifinal victory against Australia, Rodrigues will take over the leadership role for the upcoming cycle, Cricbuzz understands.
Speaking at the WPL 2026 player auction in Delhi last month, DC co-owner Parth Jindal had hinted towards Rodrigues’ promotion. “We are very clear we want an Indian as captain. We have our minds made up,” Jindal had said in a mid-auction press conference shortly after the team signed the current South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt.
“Jemimah has been with us since Day one, and there was never any doubt that she would one day captain the team. Beyond her on-field heroics, her infectious smile and boundless energy have made her a much-loved presence in the dressing room, and I am confident she will lead the squad exceptionally well,” Jindal said of the appointment.

Rodrigues had been identified as a central figure in Delhi’s long-term plans from the beginning. She was the first player the franchise bid for in the inaugural auction, in 2023, and was the first of the five retentions DC announced ahead of the next cycle. Delhi’s other retentions included Shafali Verma, Annabel Sutherland (Australia), Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), and uncapped U-19 World Cup winning captain Niki Prasad. While the four internationals all were retained for an equal INR 2.2 crore, Niki was kept on the roster for INR 60 lakh.
As such, DC did not have an RTM option on the table and were out-bid by UP Warriorz at the auction in their attempt to bring back Lanning to the mix. Lanning went to UPW for INR 1.9 crore. Rodrigues’ promotion, therefore, comes on expected lines.
Rodrigues played a key role in India’s maiden World Cup win, starting with a phenomenal 127* in a record 340-run chase against Australia to make the title clash, where they beat South Africa.
At DC, Rodrigues has played all 27 games across the three-year cycle, tallying 507 runs in 24 innings at 28.16 and a strike-rate of 139.66. (Cricbuzz)