WPL 2024: Delhi Capitals Women strongest predicted playing XI against Mumbai Indians

The Women’s Premier League (WPL 2024) second edition will get underway on February 23, 2024. The first match of the tournament will see the finalists of the last year — Delhi Capitals and defending champion Mumbai Indians facing off in the encounter which will be held at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. 

Notably, DC lost by seven wickets in the previous season's final. In the first game of the WPL 2024, the Meg Lanning-led team will look to revenge their defeat. The Capitals, captained by the astute Meg Lanning, are a dangerous force in the tournament. The team consists of dynamic hitters, tenacious all-rounders, and crafty bowlers. 

Key players like Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma add expertise and flare to the batting line-up, giving the club the firepower to face any challenge. The recent addition of Annabel Sutherland in this year's auction has strengthened the team's composition.

Here is the strongest predicted Delhi Capitals Women's XI against Mumbai Indians Women: 

Openers: Meg Lanning (C) and Shafali Verma

Meg Lanning, the DC captain, retired from international cricket recently and will be available to lead the Delhi Capitals in the entire tournament. She will also not be burdened by the pressure and responsibility much mentally. She had done well in the WPL 2023, scoring 345 runs in 9 matches, with 72 being her best score. The former Australian skipper also made two fifties and led from the front.

Her opening partner will be a young but fairly experienced Shafali Verma. The right-handed batter also executed a magnificent show last season for the team. Across 9 games, the 20-year-old mustered 252 runs averaging 31.50 and a stunning strike rate of 185.29, and her highest score was 84. She will be expected to give flying starts to her team, and the Bengaluru wicket will suit her batting style.

Middle Order: Alice Capsey, Jemimah Rodrigues, Annabel Sutherland, Yastika Bhatia (WK)

The middle order will be helmed by Jemimah Rodrigues, Alice Capsey, and the new addition Annabel Sutherland. Jemimah had a hard time in 2023, scoring only 126 runs with a best of 34* at a strike rate of 128.57. Much more will be expected from the Indian batter, as in recent times, she has shown improvement in T20 cricket.

Alice Capsey had scored 159 runs in 9 games for DC in WPL 2023. Her highest score was 38* and the English batter is another one who would need to step up for Delhi if they want to go all the way and lift the coveted trophy.

All-rounders: Annabel Sutherland and Radha Yadav

Annabel Sutherland was a very good pick for the franchise at the auction, and hence, given her proven prowess across different leagues, she will be expected to give fans a run for their money. She not only is a hard-hitting batter and a more than capable medium pacer. Sutherland will also provide some much-needed relief with the bat as well. She is coming off a scintillating double ton in the one-off Women’s Test against South Africa at home.

Radha Yadav has been one of the best all-rounders in the Indian cricket circuit. With 68 wickets in 67 T20I games, Yadav’s spin bowling adds depth to the Capitals’ attack, making her a key player in the squad. The 23-year-old has an economy of 7.20 in T20Is, indicating her ability to bowl miser spells.

Bowlers: Jess Jonassen, Shikha Pandey, and Titas Sadhu

Jess Jonassen will be an important addition to the spin department. Last season, the left-arm spinner took nine wickets while bowling at a decent economy rate of 7.68. With an average of 29.88, she was the joint second-highest wicket-taker for the Delhi franchise. Jonassen also scored 79 runs in six innings, including an undefeated 42.

Shikha Pandey was DC Women's highest wicket-taker last season, and there is no doubt that she will set the pace attack for the team in 2024 as well. Last season, the right-arm seamer took ten wickets in nine games. The 34-year-old had an impressive average of 21+ and an economy of 6.59.

Young Titas Sadhu was the star with the ball when she picked six wickets in India's U-19 World Cup triumph. She also made a huge splash on her debut for the senior team. Till now, Sadhu has played seven T20Is and has picked eight wickets at a decent economy rate. Her best bowling performance came against Australia when she ended with figures of 4/17 at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Delhi Capitals' strongest predicted playing XI:

Meg Lanning (C), Shafali Verma, Alice Capsey, Jemimah Rodrigues, Annabel Sutherland, Aparna Mondal, Sneha Deepthi, Taniya Bhatia, Jess Jonassen, Radha Yadav, Shikha Pandey