Ahead of the 2026 Women’s Premier League season, the JSW-GMR co-owned Delhi Capitals today announced that India star Jemimah Rodrigues has been named captain.
The 25-year-old, who was selected first in the auction and has been a mainstay of the Capitals’ lineup since the first WPL season, recently contributed significantly to India’s historic victory in the ICC Women’s World Cup. She demonstrated her capacity to perform well on the biggest platform by leading India to a spectacular world-record chase of 339 against Australia in the semi-final with her thrilling unbroken 127.
Rodrigues has played in 27 WPL games while wearing the Delhi Capitals’ colours, amassing 507 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 139.67. He has also made appearances in all three of the league’s finals. She has been a livewire presence, giving vitality, pleasure, and an infectious smile that has helped her forge a close rapport with Delhi Capitals supporters and Indian women’s team fans. She is well-known for her passion and intensity on the pitch.
“Jemimah has been with us from the beginning, and it was always clear that she would lead the team in the future.
In addition to her exploits on the pitch, she is a beloved presence in the dressing room due to her contagious smile and endless enthusiasm, and I have no doubt that she will lead the team to great success. We are incredibly happy to have her lead the Delhi Capitals after her incredible innings against Australia in the ICC Women’s World Cup semi-final. After three straight finals, I am confident she will succeed in this job and help us cross the finish line, therefore I wish her the best as she begins this new chapter with us. According to Parth Jindal,
“We are thrilled to announce Jemimah as the Delhi Capitals’ WPL captain. She exemplifies our principles to the fullest and was the first name on the DC squad when the WPL started. Having participated in all three finals, Jemimah has been essential to the franchise’s success, and we have faith that she can help us advance.
She is a natural leader because of her vivacious attitude, boundless energy, and talent for fostering relationships with her peers. We and the coaching staff fully support her, and I hope she succeeds in her new position. As she has done throughout her career, I have no doubt that she will continue to accomplish great things. Mr. Kiran Kumar Grandhi welcomed Jemimah as the Delhi Capitals’ new captain.
“Being named captain of the Delhi Capitals is an absolute honour, and I am deeply grateful to the owners and the support staff for placing their faith in me to lead this team,” Jemimah said in reference to her new position. Winning the World Cup and now being given this fantastic opportunity at a team that has had a very special place in my heart since the inaugural season of the WPL has made this year a true dream for my family and myself.
Over the past three years, I’ve gained a lot of knowledge and had some of my greatest memories with the Delhi Capitals. My family is this team. I am eager to make new memories with both familiar faces and new friends, even though I will mourn the players that shared in our trip during the previous cycle. As we look ahead to what we believe will be a very successful season and finally cross that line that has escaped us in the last three years, I am excited to get started. We have a good squad.
In 113 Twenty20 Internationals, Jemimah has scored 2,444 runs at an average of 30.93, including 14 half-centuries. In 59 One-Day Internationals, she has also played for India, scoring 1,749 runs with three hundreds and eight half-centuries. The WPL 2026 opener between the Delhi Capitals and Mumbai Indians is scheduled for Saturday, January 10 in Navi Mumbai.
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