WPL 2026: Want to find my own style as captain, says Delhi Capitals’ Jemimah Rodrigues

Jemimah Rodrigues is riding a wave of confidence right now. Having candidly admitted to struggling with her mental health during the ODI World Cup, the match-winning century in the semifinal against Australia at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai was the turning point. It did not just uplift her mood but also revealed the full spectrum of her ability. A couple of months after that moment, the 25-year-old was handed the responsibility of leading Delhi Capitals in the fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League.

To take over the reins from Australia’s Meg Lanning, who led DC to three successive finals, is a hard act to follow, but Jemimah appears to be ready.

“I genuinely believe in timing. Sometimes you feel it should happen earlier, but God makes you wait to prepare you more. Whatever has happened through my journey, the timing has always been perfect. I am prepared,” she said in a virtual media gathering on Tuesday.

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Besides picking Lanning’s brain on leadership during the WPL, Jemimah has had the opportunity to learn from senior India teammates Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana. What sort of captain will Jemimah turn out to be?

“One thing I have learnt is that everyone has a different style of captaincy. My biggest learning is to find my own style,” Jemimah responded.

“In the Indian team, my responsibility is also to make sure the right fielders are at the right positions and at the right angles. I have been very involved with that. I have also led Mumbai for many years. My captaincy will be more on the calmer side. But at the same time, I like to think a little more aggressively. That is kind of my style. But yes, I don’t think I will change my personality,” she added.

The top-order batter, particularly in light of her personal journey in recent months, also opened up on the importance of empathy as a leader.

“What I went through has helped me understand players better. Sometimes, as a captain, you can be a little harsh. But when you understand that someone is going through something, you find a way to help them out in a different way,” she said.

“It is important as captains or leaders to go through things, so that your players can relate to you. It makes a difference when you talk to them. I’ve always been this person. I’ve always looked out for people. I’ve tried to make people feel valued and special. A good captain is someone who can make their players feel special even on a bad day,” she concluded.

Published on Jan 06, 2026