Under Jemimah Rodrigues, Delhi Capitals aim to overcome final obstacle

Where they finished in WPL 2025: Delhi Capitals finished as the losing finalists, topping the points table but ending up without the trophy.

Mega-auction overhaul: With limitations on retention, Delhi Capitals were hard hit. They released skipper Meg Lanning and an experienced bowling group. They brought back Minnu Mani, Taniyaa Bhatia, and Sree Charani, and added Chinelle Henry and Laura Wolvaardt. Foreign picks included Lizelle Lee and uncapped Australian quick Lucy Hamilton. The biggest miss is in Indian pace reserves, now possibly the weakest.

Newsmaker(s): After three seasons as deputy, Jemimah Rodrigues is promoted to captain. Retained all-rounder Annabel Sutherland is unavailable this season, with Alana King drafted as her replacement for 2026. Sutherland's absence leaves a gap in the middle order and pace department.

Watch out for: Skipper Rodrigues highlighted 'fighter' Sneh Rana. Despite her credentials, the 31-year-old will compete for a place in a talented and versatile spin group.

Probable XI: Shafali Verma, Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues (c), Marizanne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Chinelle Henry, Alana King, Mamatha Madiwala/Taniyaa Bhatia, Minnu Mani, Sree Charani, Nandani Sharma

Bench: Sneh Rana, Lizelle Lee, Lucy Hamilton, Deeya Yadav

Schedule: After back-to-back games to start, Capitals' games are well spaced, playing each opponent once in Navi Mumbai and Baroda, all at 7:30 PM.

• Jan 10: vs MI in Navi Mumbai
• Jan 11: vs GG in Navi Mumbai
• Jan 14: vs UPW in Navi Mumbai
• Jan 17: vs RCB in Navi Mumbai
• Jan 20: vs MI in Vadodara
• Jan 24: vs RCB in Vadodara
• Jan 27: vs GG in Vadodara
• Feb 1: vs UPW in Vadodara