WPL 2024: Best starting playing XI of Delhi Capitals (DC) after mini auction

The second edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is likely to be played in February-March 2024. Before the tournament, all five franchises locked horns with each other in the 2024 auction held in Mumbai on December 9. Delhi Capitals (DC), who concluded their inaugural campaign as runners-up, have also added three players to the squad for the upcoming season.

Annabel Sutherland, who was a part of Gujarat Giants, became the most expensive overseas player of the auction. She went to DC for INR 2 crore and also became the joint-costliest player of the auction with India’s uncapped all-rounder Kashvee Gautam, who got INR 2 crore from Sutherland’s former team Gujarat Giants. After the business event in Mumbai, it’s essential to form the best starting XI of DC.

Here is the best starting XI of Delhi Capitals (DC) after the WPL 2024 auction:

1. Meg Lanning (C) 

Meg Lanning performed exceptionally as Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper in the maiden WPL edition. Under her captaincy, DC qualified for the final and she also ended up as the leading run-getter in the tournament with 345 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of 139.11. Lanning will be seen in DC’s jersey again in 2024 and before the tournament, she looked confident with her bat in the 2023-24 Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). Playing for Melbourne Stars (MS), she amassed 284 runs in 11 matches at a strike rate of 120.33.

2. Shafali Varma

Shafali Verma played her part efficiently as an opener for DC, notching up 252 runs in nine matches at a breathtaking strike rate of 185.25. In the upcoming WPL edition, the 19-year-old will be expected to deliver ferocious starts to her side again. 

3. Alice Capsey

Alice Capsey was seen reinforcing DC in all departments of the game with her all-round talent. She contributed 159 runs and six wickets to the Capitals in eight matches. The England all-rounder will look to showcase her all-round talent again for DC. In the recently-concluded 2023 WBBL, she represented Melbourne Stars and racked up 283 runs and eight wickets in 14 matches. 

4. Jemimah Rodrigues

Jemimah Rodrigues didn’t look consistent with her bat in the 2023 WPL season but her franchise showed faith in her and retained her for the 2024 season. Her responsibility will be to utilize her experience and strengthen the team with her batting in the middle order.  

5. Marizanne Kapp

Marizanne Kapp looked decent as an all-rounder in the 2023 WPL. With the bat, she scored 177 runs in seven innings while as a bowler, she picked up nine wickets in nine matches at an economy of 5.72. As a senior player in the team, the DC team management will want the South African veteran to be at her best in the upcoming WPL season.

6. Annabel Sutherland

DC have acquired Annabel Sutherland at a heavy amount in the auction and now the Aussie player will have to justify her price with her all-round talent. She might be given the task of bolstering the fast-bowling unit with her sensational bowling talent. As a batter, her duty will be to produce match-finishing knocks for her team.

7. Taniya Bhatia

Taniya Bhatia will be seen serving the side as a wicketkeeper-batter again. In the last season, she got three innings to bat in nine matches and could score only five runs. Forgetting her previous failures, she will have to showcase her batting mettle in 2024.

8. Arundhati Reddy

Arundhati Reddy played seven games in the 2023 WPL but failed to prove herself as a wicket-taking bowler. In four innings of seven games, she got only two wickets at an economy of 7.55. In the upcoming season, she will get a chance to display her bowling talent for the Capitals again.

9. Shikha Pandey

Shikha Pandey became the leading wicket-taker for Capitals in the previous season, with 10 wickets in nine matches at an economy of 6.59. Pandey’s endeavours will be to continue her excellent work for DC in 2024 again. 

10. Radha Yadav

Radha Yadav took four wickets in nine matches for DC in the debut WPL edition. The left-arm spinner will have to form a spin trio with Alice Capsey and Minnu Mani and do wonders for the team in the upcoming season. She has played a lot of cricket on India’s turning tracks and will have to take advantage of home conditions.

11.  Minnu Mani

Minnu Mani played three games in 2023 but failed to be effective with the ball. DC have retained her for the upcoming season and this time, she will be required to deliver solid numbers to the team. Her role will be to reinforce DC’s spin attack with another youngster Radha Yadav.

Also check: Best starting playing XI of Mumbai Indian