The Indian Premier League (IPL) is undoubtedly the most-watched and celebrated T20 league across the globe. The event has become a melting pot of talent from different parts of the world. While the men’s league continues to be the cynosure of all eyes, the Women’s Premier League (WPL) has also emerged as an exciting platform for women cricketers in India. The WPL has been a breath of fresh air for women’s cricket in the country. The league has provided a significant platform for upcoming and established women cricketers to showcase their talent. In this blog, we will focus on five players to watch out for in the Delhi Capitals squad for the upcoming season of the Women’s Premier League.
Number 1. Shafali Verma
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Ever since her debut, Shafali Verma has taken the international cricket scene by storm. With her aggressive style of play, the 19-year-old opener has provided India with some much-needed brisk starts and has even taken the best of bowlers to the cleaners on her day. In her 52 T20I appearances for India, she has scored 1292 runs at an impressive strike rate of 134.16. Not just with the bat, Shafali is also quite handy with her off-spin.
Her addition to any team’s batting line-up adds a certain flair and Delhi Capitals recognized this potential when they went all out to sign her for INR 2 crore at the auction. Let’s take a closer look at why Shafali Verma is one of the top players to watch out for in the Delhi Capitals squad for the upcoming Women’s Premier League.
Number 2. Jemimah Rodrigues
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Jemimah Rodrigues has been a consistent performer for India in the T20 format, showcasing her batting prowess and tactical maturity. With 77 T20I appearances, she has aggregated 1629 runs at an impressive strike rate of 113.44. She is known for shepherding the innings beautifully, allowing her teammates to play with freedom. The 22-year-old also has an aggressive side to her game, often putting the opposition’s bowling attack under pressure.
Her match-winning innings against Pakistan during the T20 World Cup 2023 was a testament to her skill and ability. Her exceptional talent made her a sought-after player at the auction, with Delhi Capitals securing her services for a whopping INR 2.2 crore.
Number 3. Meg Lanning
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Meg Lanning is undoubtedly one of the most prominent names in the cricketing world. Her ability to score runs at a prolific rate across various formats has left bowlers scratching their heads. The 30-year-old has featured in 129 T20Is and scored a whopping 3345 runs at a blistering strike rate of 116.26. Apart from her batting prowess, Lanning is also known for her tactical astuteness, as evidenced by her impressive captaincy record. She has led the Australian team to three T20 World Cup victories, an ODI World Cup triumph, and a gold medal in the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Delhi Capitals, recognizing the value of having a player of her caliber in their side, acquired her services for INR 1.1 crore in the WPL auction.
Number 4. Poonam Yadav
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Poonam Yadav is a reliable spinner in the Indian cricket team, known for her ability to weave a web around the opposition and take wickets at crucial moments. In her career spanning 72 T20Is, the 31-year-old has claimed 98 wickets at an economy rate of 5.75. She has also been effective in the ODI format, with 80 wickets in 58 matches at an economy of 3.97.
With an aim to strengthen their spin-bowling options, Delhi Capitals acquired the services of Poonam in the WPL 2023 auction. As she gears up for the upcoming season, the leg-spinner will be eager to showcase her skills and make a significant contribution to her team’s success.
Number 5. Marizanne Kapp
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Marizanne Kapp is a cricketer who has always made a mark on the field. With her explosive power-hitting and impressive bowling skills, the 33-year-old has often single-handedly dismantled the opposition. She has accumulated 1140 runs and taken 70 wickets in 90 T20Is at an economy rate of 5.45.
With her ability to influence the game with both bat and ball, it is no surprise that Delhi Capitals were keen to sign her. The team bid INR 1.5 crore to secure the services of the South African all-rounder at the WPL 2023 auction.
