WPL 2024: Delhi Capitals is one of the most formidable teams in the Women’s Premier League. Their outing in the inaugural season of the WPL was a testament to the same, where they ended up as finalists after what was a delightful run-up to the finals.
Led by the experienced Meg Lanning, Delhi Capitals is the side to beat this season. Building up their side with experienced players, they will look to have a better season and go all the way.
Here is the Delhi Capitals Squad ahead of the WPL 2024:
Alice Capsey*, Arundhati Reddy, Jemimah Rodrigues, Jess Jonassen*, Laura Harris*, Marizanne Kapp*, Meg Lanning (Captain)*, Minnu Mani, Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Shafali Verma, Shikha Pandey, Sneha Deepthi, Taniya Bhatia, Titas Sadhu, Annabel Sutherland*, Aparna Mondal, Ashwani Kumari
Let us now dive deeper into the SWOT Analysis of Delhi Capitals:
Strengths
Meg Lanning’s captaincy: Meg Lanning is a bonafide legend in the women’s game. She has achieved so much in her time as a skipper and player. Now, with the retirement from international cricket, she can approach the game with less of a burden and guide the players around her to glory. Be it her strategies or game plans, her shrewd captaincy is a massive bonus to the Delhi set-up that will benefit from her presence.
𝐀 𝐌𝐞𝐠-𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 💙🥹
Meg Lanning is back and here's what she had to say on returning to the DC family 💥#YehHaiNayiDilli #TATAWPL pic.twitter.com/RE5TQDxsEq
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) February 19, 2024
Experienced foreign picks: Delhi has a plethora of experienced international players in the mix- in the form of Alice Capsey, Jess Jonassen, Laura Harris, Marizanne Kapp, and skipper Meg Lanning and the acquisition of Annabel Sutherland only makes them a solid team, on the overseas players front. They are single-handed match-winners for their international sides making Delhi a strong unit.
Strong first XI of India internationals: While Delhi boasts of strong overseas players, they also have experienced current and former India campaigners. Arundhati Reddy, Jemimah Rodrigues, Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Shafali Verma, Shikha Pandey, Taniya Bhatia and Titas Sadhu form this solid core and can walk into a playing 11 on any given day.
Weaknesses
Lack of wicket-keeping options: Currently, the Delhi Capitals side has a wicketkeeper in just Taniya Bhatia. She is undoubtedly one of the finest wicketkeepers- from a technical and skill-wise perspective. But if she gets injured due to an unforeseen reason, does DC have the option to find a replacement or someone from within the squad to fill in the gaping hole?
Lack of wicket-taking options in the middle overs: In any T20 game, taking wickets in the start, middle and death overs is of utmost importance. Delhi has some talented and optimal options but still lacks proper strike-bowling options that will bring them wickets. Marizanne Kapp has blown hot and cold in recent times and with Titas Sadhu still finding her feet, it will be interesting to see how the rest of the bowling rallies around them.
Opportunities
For Radha Yadav to carry on domestic form: Radha Yadav was warming the benches and eventually dropped from the Indian team owing to poor form. Since that, she has turned a new leaf and emerged as a champion for her domestic side. Churning consistent performances, she was prolific with the bat and the ball and Delhi will largely benefit if she can continue this vein of form.
.@Radhay_21 in her element 🔥#YehHaiNayiDilli #TATAWPL pic.twitter.com/IOzzqZ0E8e
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) February 19, 2024
Shikha Pandey to excel: Shikha Pandey is a name that has not played for India in some time, although she has had a good run with her domestic side. Picking wickets and scoring runs in heaps, she will look to make the most of this opportunity and stake a claim in the Indian side which could also prove to be her last swansong.
Jemi to quieten her T20 critics: Jemimah Rodrigues has proven herself as an asset in test match cricket and ODIs, however, she has not inspired similar confidence in T20s. While a lot depends on where she is slotted to bat, this WPL can be a game-changer for her and she can silence her critics with good and consistent scores with an enviable average and strike rate.
A 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝘆 we just can't get over 🤩💙#YehHaiNayiDilli #TATAWPL pic.twitter.com/83Ou93HS2G
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) February 18, 2024
Threats
The deficit in spin options might come to bite them: With Jess Jonassen being the frontline spinner, a lot will depend on her performance. Poonam Yadav and Radha Yadav will have to step up and deliver when the team needs and give support to Jonassen.
The form of key players: While DC will heavily rely on their star players to come strong, any discrepancies or inconsistencies has the potential to derail the campaign. Meg Lanning who has been away from international cricket for a while will have to find a way to deliver from the get-go and so will the other players which will dictate how the rest of the season will play out for the last season’s finalists.
WPL 2024: DC Best Playing 11
Meg Lanning (C), Shafali Verma, Marizanne Kapp, Jemimah Rodrigues, Annabel Sutherland*, Taniya Bhatiya, Jess Jonnassen*, Radha Yadav, Shikha Pandey, Minnu Mani, Titas Sadhu
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 🤩
Apne calendars update karlo, #WPL mein phir roar machaane ka waqt aa chuka hai 🙌💙#YehHaiNayiDilli pic.twitter.com/XyT94aVELt
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) January 26, 2024
Prediction
Delhi Capitals is a formidable outfit and has the potential to go all the way in this coveted tournament. They will likely finish second on the table, and qualify for the playoffs and then it would be interesting to see how they progress.
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