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- MI vs DC, WPL 2026 Highlights: Mumbai Indians beat Delhi Capitals by 50 runs to register first win of season
MI vs DC, WPL 2026 Highlights: Mumbai Indians beat Delhi Capitals by 50 runs to register first win of season
Jemimah Rodrigues, one of Indian cricket’s brightest stars, has been handed the leadership role after the franchise decided to move on from Australian great Meg Lanning, who captained the side for the first three seasons.
For Jemimah, the responsibility comes with both excitement and reflection, especially given Lanning’s deep imprint on the team’s culture.
"I met Meg Lanning, and it felt weird to see her wearing the yellow jersey of the UP Warriorz. I have to say the impact Meg had on our franchise, the Delhi Capitals, and the standards and culture she set was huge. I learned so much from her. I even picked her brain about captaincy," said Jemimah, acknowledging the influence of her predecessor.
The 24-year-old, who starred in India’s ICC Women’s ODI World Cup triumph with a memorable century against Australia in the semi-finals, believes leadership brings out the best in her. Drawing confidence from her domestic captaincy experience, she is ready to guide a side that has reached the WPL final in every edition so far.
"This new role as captain is exciting. I am also a little nervous because it is new. But I have led my domestic side for a while. I love leading because that extra responsibility brings out my best. My message to the Delhi Capitals is the same. We have played amazing cricket and have an amazing support staff. We just keep working hard and doing the right things, and I know things will fall into place. That is our energy," Jemimah added.
Delhi Capitals open their campaign with a high-voltage clash against defending champions Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai — a reminder of past finals heartbreaks and a chance to set the tone for 2026.
Head coach Jonathan Batty expressed optimism about the squad’s makeup and preparation following a productive pre-season camp in Goa.
"It's really nice to have a lot of familiar faces back in the squad from the last few years, and at the same time, it's been great to bring in some fresh faces who add a new dynamic to the team," Batty said.
He added, "It's been a fantastic preparation period… everything feels really positive, and we're raring to go."
With balance, belief and a new leader, Delhi Capitals will once again chase the one prize that has narrowly eluded them — the WPL title.
Change in bowling? Yes, Sree Charani to bowl now.
- G Kamalini 7 (15)
- Nat Sciver-Brunt 23 (15)
Marizanne Kapp to G Kamalini, Yet another tidy over by Kapp! A wobble length delivery, angled outside off. G Kamalini has a poke at it but misses.
Marizanne Kapp to G Kamalini, G Kamalini charges down to break the shackles, picks the length quickly but mistimes her shot to mid off.
Marizanne Kapp to G Kamalini, Overpitched and around off, G Kamalini plays a nice looking drive but finds cover.
Marizanne Kapp to G Kamalini, FOUR! That's placement for you. This will boost her confidence. Back of a length, outside off. G Kamalini carves it through the gap, past backward point and it rolls to the fence.
Marizanne Kapp to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Drops it full and slanting on middle, Nat Sciver-Brunt whips it to deep square leg for a single.
Marizanne Kapp to G Kamalini, Attacks the stumps with a length ball. G Kamalini drops it in front of cover for a quick single.
- Nat Sciver-Brunt 22 (14)
- G Kamalini 2 (10)
Chinelle Henry to Nat Sciver-Brunt, A dot to end but 9 runs off the over! Short in length, outside off, cut to point.
Chinelle Henry to Nat Sciver-Brunt, FOUR! UP AND OVER! Pitches it up, just outside off but it was angled in. Nat Sciver-Brunt makes room, bends across and lofts it over extra cover for a boundary.
Chinelle Henry to Nat Sciver-Brunt, FOUR! Nat Sciver-Brunt looks in rhythm today! Much, much more in rhythm than we saw yesterday! Back of a length and outside off, swinging away. Nat Sciver-Brunt pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.
Chinelle Henry to G Kamalini, Touch fuller and around off, shaping in late. G Kamalini drills it to mid on for a quick single.
Chinelle Henry to G Kamalini, Beaten again! At 110 clicks! Pulls her length back by just and bowls it outside off. G Kamalini swings and misses it.
Chinelle Henry to G Kamalini, Oh, how close was that to the off pole! A slow and low dipping fuller delivery, around off. G Kamalini is beaten for the pace, she tries to drive but misses.
- Nat Sciver-Brunt 14 (11)
- G Kamalini 1 (7)
Marizanne Kapp to Nat Sciver-Brunt, In-angler, fuller delivery, around off, Nat Sciver-Brunt tucks it to mid-wicket.
Marizanne Kapp to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Well bowled! Bowls in the slot, very full and around off, Nat Sciver-Brunt fails to squeeze it out as she bends and finds mid-wicket.
Marizanne Kapp to Nat Sciver-Brunt, NO BALL! Touch fuller, outside off, pitched up a bit. Nat Sciver-Brunt drives it to cover. Oh, hang on. The siren goes off. It's a no ball as Kapp has overstepped. A free hit to follow.
Marizanne Kapp to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Skiddy length delivery, outside off, Nat Sciver-Brunt guides it to backward point.
Marizanne Kapp to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Much better from Kapp! Hits the deck hard and bowls it on top of off. Nat Sciver-Brunt hops and defends.
Marizanne Kapp to Nat Sciver-Brunt, FOUR! Third boundary for Nat Sciver-Brunt! Shorter and on the hips. Nat Sciver-Brunt picks the angle and pulls it fine past the fielder at fine leg for a boundary.
Marizanne Kapp to G Kamalini, Kapp serves on a nagging length, outside off, G Kamalini slaps it to the left of point. The fielder dives and gets a hand on it. A single.
- Nat Sciver-Brunt 10 (5)
- G Kamalini 0 (6)
Chinelle Henry to Nat Sciver-Brunt, FOUR! Good start by Nat! Sees the width outside off, this is on a length. Nat Sciver-Brunt crunches it through point for a boundary.
Chinelle Henry to Nat Sciver-Brunt, This is full and angling on middle, Nat Sciver-Brunt clips it to mid-wicket.
Chinelle Henry to Nat Sciver-Brunt, FOUR! Lovely stroke! Fuller delivery, outside off, Nat Sciver-Brunt crisply drives it past mid off for a boundary.
Chinelle Henry to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Angling in on middle, fuller length. Nat Sciver-Brunt clips it behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs.
Chinelle Henry to Nat Sciver-Brunt, Pitched up, outside off, Nat Sciver-Brunt leans and pushes it straight to mid off.
Nat Sciver-Brunt walks to the middle.
Chinelle Henry to Amelia Kerr, OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Lizelle Lee has pulled off a blinder. Incredible from Lee! Bowls it very full and well outside off, shaping away late. Kerr's eyes lit up as she saw the width and flashes her blade. She edges it to the right of the keeper, Lizelle Lee, who gets a big hand on it and gets a big lucky as the ball bounces right over her eyes. She dives across and takes on the second attempt with both hands. Jemimah Rodrigues was present at first slip but Lee pulled off a blinder.
Chinelle Henry to share the attack.
- G Kamalini 0 (6)
- Amelia Kerr 0 (0)
Marizanne Kapp to G Kamalini, Really good start by Kapp! Pushed through, fuller and around off, Kamalini drags her shot to mid-wicket.
Marizanne Kapp to G Kamalini, Another dot! Kapp bowls with some width outside off. Kamalini slaps it hard but finds the fielder at point.
Marizanne Kapp to G Kamalini, Four dots in a row! Touch fuller and skidding a bit, outside off, Kamalini punches it to cover.
Marizanne Kapp to G Kamalini, On a nagging length and just outside off, Kamalini carves it off the back foot but finds point.
Marizanne Kapp to G Kamalini, Straighter, shorter and on the hips. Kamalini mistimes her pull and it rolls off the gloves to the keeper.
Marizanne Kapp to G Kamalini, Much better! A good length delivery, around off and shaping in. G Kamalini defends it to cover.
Marizanne Kapp to Amelia Kerr, TWO WIDES! Kapp gets it to swing away down leg. Kerr looks to pull but misses. Lizelle Lee gets a hand on it, diving to her left and keeping it down to one. Mumbai Indians are underway.
All set for action. The Delhi Capitals players are out in the middle. Amelia Kerr and G Kamalini to open for Mumbai Indians. Marizanne Kapp to bowl first. A slip in place. Let's play...
The captain of Mumbai Indians, Harmanpreet Kaur, says they would have chased first as well. Adds they want to rectify the mistake they made yesterday against RCB. Mentions today's game is very important, the pitch looks quite different from yesterday. Looks good to bat on. Informs Saika Ishaque misses and Triveni Vasistha will make her debut.
Jemimah Rodrigues, the skipper of Delhi Capitals, says they are going to bowl first. Admits DY Patil has been very special. Her Test debut was here, they won the World Cup final recently, and now, WPL captaincy. Mentions that she has been leading the state team since she was 16. The team is going to back her no matter what and they are going to have some fun. Informs the four overseas players - Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, Lizelle Lee and Chinelle Henry.
Mumbai Indians (Playing XI) - Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Nat Sciver-Brunt, G Kamalini (WK), Amelia Kerr, Amanjot Kaur, Nicola Carey, Sanskriti Gupta, Poonam Khemnar, Sajana Sajeevan, Shabnim Ismail, Triveni Vasistha (In for Saika Ishaque).
Delhi Capitals (Playing XI) - Jemimah Rodrigues (C), Shafali Verma, Lizelle Lee (WK), Laura Wolvaardt, Marizanne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Chinelle Henry, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Sree Charani, Nandni Sharma.
TOSS - Jemimah Rodrigues calls it right for the first time as the captain. Delhi Capitals will BOWL first!
"I think we've got a really balanced squad. What excites me is building on the experience and quality we retained going into the auction, complemented by some high-quality recruitment. We're obviously looking to go one better than in the last few years," Batty said.
The squad composition reflects that ambition — experienced campaigners form the backbone, while fresh signings add depth and versatility. Batty believes the balance will help DC adapt to different conditions and challenges during the tournament.
With a new captain in Jemimah Rodrigues and a settled support structure, Delhi Capitals enter the season with clarity of purpose. The opening match against Mumbai Indians offers an immediate benchmark of how far the team has progressed from past campaigns.
Head coach Jonathan Batty sounded upbeat while reflecting on the build-up to the season, especially the blend of familiar faces and new recruits.
"It's really nice to have a lot of familiar faces back in the squad from the last few years, and at the same time, it's been great to bring in some fresh faces who add a new dynamic to the team," Batty said.
The camp also allowed the squad to adjust to new leadership under Jemimah Rodrigues, ensuring clarity in roles before competitive action begins. With WPL margins often razor-thin, Delhi Capitals are banking on preparation and unity to make the difference.
As the team heads into their opener against Mumbai Indians, the mood in the camp is confident and focused — qualities DC hope will translate into results on the field.
For Jemimah, the captaincy is not a burden but a motivator. Her calm confidence reflects a player who understands both responsibility and opportunity.
"This new role as captain is exciting. I am also a little nervous because it is new. But I have led my domestic side for a while. I love leading because that extra responsibility brings out my best," she said.
The opening match at the DY Patil Stadium will be an immediate test of her tactical acumen and ability to manage big moments. With a settled core and strong support staff, Jemimah believes the group only needs to stay true to its process.
"My message to the Delhi Capitals is the same. We have played amazing cricket and have an amazing support staff. We just keep working hard and doing the right things, and I know things will fall into place. That is our energy."
Jemimah herself has been open about the Australian legend’s impact on her growth as a leader. The transition from Lanning to Rodrigues has been handled with respect, continuity and learning, rather than disruption.
"I met Meg Lanning, and it felt weird to see her wearing the yellow jersey of the UP Warriorz. I have to say the impact Meg had on our franchise, the Delhi Capitals, and the standards and culture she set was huge. I learned so much from her. I even picked her brain about captaincy," she said.
Lanning’s move to UP Warriorz adds an emotional subplot to WPL 2026, especially if the two sides cross paths later in the tournament. For Delhi Capitals, however, the challenge is clear: build on the culture Lanning created, while forging a new identity under a young Indian captain eager to make her mark.
The 24-year-old comes into the role on the back of a stellar run in international cricket, including her match-winning century against Australia in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup semi-final. Her promotion feels organic rather than abrupt, shaped by years of leadership exposure in domestic cricket and close observation of Lanning’s methods.
"I met Meg Lanning, and it felt weird to see her wearing the yellow jersey of the UP Warriorz. I have to say the impact Meg had on our franchise, the Delhi Capitals, and the standards and culture she set was huge. I learned so much from her. I even picked her brain about captaincy," Jemimah said.
As Delhi Capitals prepare for their opening clash against Mumbai Indians, all eyes will be on how Jemimah balances her aggressive batting with calm, assured leadership.
Mumbai Indians Women Squad: Amelia Kerr, G Kamalini(w), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Amanjot Kaur, Nicola Carey, Poonam Khemnar, Shabnim Ismail, Sanskriti Gupta, Sajeevan Sajana, Saika Ishaque, Hayley Matthews, Rahila Firdous, Milly Illingworth, Triveni Vasistha, Nalla Reddy
Delhi Capitals Women Squad: Shafali Verma, Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues(c), Taniya Bhatia(w), Chinelle Henry, Niki Prasad, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Marizanne Kapp, Alana King, Nandani Sharma, Lizelle Lee, Shree Charani, Lucy Hamilton, Mamatha Madiwala, Deeya Yadav
One of India’s standout performers in recent times, Jemimah enters the role after playing a key part in India’s ICC Women’s ODI World Cup triumph and being a consistent pillar for DC across three seasons, all of which ended in finals appearances.
Speaking ahead of the season opener against defending champions Mumbai Indians, Jemimah reflected on Lanning’s lasting influence while expressing excitement and nervous energy about leading the side.
Delhi Capitals head into the new season having balanced continuity with fresh faces, backed by an intensive pre-season camp in Goa.
Head coach Jonathan Batty expressed confidence in the squad’s balance, preparation and team culture, stressing the desire to “go one better” after falling short in previous finals.
With a strong core retained, new recruits added and a blockbuster opening clash at the DY Patil Stadium, DC aim to finally convert their consistency into a WPL title under Jemimah’s leadership.
Match Statistics
Venue
Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai
