Jemimah Rodrigues for Delhi Capitals - (Source: AFP)
On Thursday, November 27, three-time finalists Delhi Capitals had a lot of work to do at the mega-auction table and eventually, the Women in Red picked up 11 players to complete a squad of 16 members for WPL 2026, set to begin in January.
Delhi Capitals are one of the strongest teams in WPL history, as they have reached every final but have failed to cross the final hurdle. Meanwhile, this article will analyse the Capitals squad for WPL 2026.
Complete squad after New Acquisitions: Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Annabel Sutherland, Marzianne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Laura Wolvaardt, Chinelle Henry, Shree Charani, Sneh Rana, Lizelle Lee, Deeya Yadav, Taniya Bhatia, Mamatha Madiwala, Nandini Sharma, Lucy Hamilton, Minnu Mani
Tough call between Laura and Deeya
Delhi Capitals roped in two openers at the auction - Laura Wolvaardt and a 16-year-old sensation from Haryana, Deeya Yadav. Now, the management has a tough decision in their hands whether to trust Yadav to open the innings with Shafali Verma or go with Laura Wolvaardt as Shafali's partner.
DC can opt for an RR-type strategy and might even pull off a Vaibhav Suryavanshi-like move for WPL 2026. If that happens, then Laura can play at No. 3 for the Capitals.
Let's look at how Laura Wolvaardt and Deeya Yadav have done in the shortest format of the game.
Criteria
Laura Wolvaardt (T20Is)
Deeya Yadav (T20s)
Innings
77
19
Runs
2088
590
Average
34.80
39.33
Strike-rate
115.10
123.7
Solid middle-order
Delhi Capitals will enter the WPL 2026 with one of the strongest middle orders in the competition. Jemimah Rodrigues will take charge at No.4, followed by the experienced Marizanne Kapp at No. 5 and Annabel Sutherland at No. 6
Interestingly, all three middle-order players were retained before the auction, and DC bought Chinelle Henry for a whopping 1.30 crores to fire up the lower middle-order and solve a finisher woe.
Let's look at how Chinelle Henry performed in T20I cricket.
Criteria
Chinelle Henry
Innings
56
Runs
522
Average
15.35
Strike-rate
92.06
Wickets
22
Economy
6.84
Taniyaa Bhatia a weak link
Delhi Capitals have a solid top-order lineup, but they failed to secure a genuine wicketkeeper during the auction. As a result, they now have to proceed with Taniyaa Bhatia in the playing XI, and the 28-year-old has embarrassing league stats.
Notably, she has played just five matches in the entire WPL history and scored just 5 runs, averaging just 1 run per match.
Taniyaa Bhatia's run-tally in WPL history
Criteria
Taniyaa Bhatia
Innings
5
Runs
5
Average
1
Strike-rate
70
Strong bowling attack led by Shree Charani
One of the positives for Delhi is that they have solid all-round options, who are top bowlers. Marizanne Kapp is the premier seamer, and Annabel Sutherland will partner alongside the South Africa international to wreak havoc in the next season.
Further, new recruit Chinelle Henry can also chip in with her bowling. In the spin department, Shree Charani will be the premier spinner and assisted by Sneh Rana and Niki Prasad, who were retained before the auction.
Overall, it looks like a solid line-up with little weakness. Although there are a few question marks, which can only be answered when the season starts. How Deeya Yadav and Chinelle Henry do in 2026 will define the Delhi Capitals' season.
Taniyaa Bhatia's presence also makes the lower middle-order a bit weak, and these gaps in the playing XI might not help the Capitals end their trophy drought.
Jemimah Rodrigues for Delhi Capitals - (Source: AFP)
