Jemimah Rodrigues Confident Ahead Of WPL 2025, Eyes Trophy For Delhi Capitals

February 9, 2025: With the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 on the horizon, Delhi Capitals are gearing up for another strong season after finishing as runners-up in back-to-back years. The team is currently stationed in Pune for a pre-season camp, where star batter Jemimah Rodrigues shared her thoughts on the upcoming season and her preparations.

Rodrigues, who has been a vital player for the Delhi Capitals, expressed confidence in the team’s abilities, stating, “We have been very good and consistent in the last two seasons as a team. Of course, there’s this one final, which I’m sure we will cross, and get our hands on the trophy. We have been doing the right things. There are some days when you can’t control the outcome, but we have been putting in all our hard work as the DC unit and will keep playing to win.”

The 24-year-old also revealed her straightforward approach to training, emphasizing the importance of simulating match situations in practice. “My preparation is pretty simple. Whatever I’m going to face in the match, I’ll try to bring those situations into practice, be it playing aggressively or holding the innings together from one end. There’s also a lot of power-hitting because it’s T20. So, I use heavy balls which help me get my bat swing faster and give more power.”

Rodrigues has been in excellent form, scoring 381 runs in 18 WPL matches at a strike rate of 143.82, and she touched upon how the WPL has positively impacted women’s cricket in India. “Playing among the best in the WPL brings out the best in every player, whether they’re new to international cricket or experienced. The more competitive games we play, the more we are put in those pressure situations, the more it helps us know what to do in such situations. Even the standard in domestic cricket has gone up,” she said.

She also highlighted the surge in fan following for women’s cricket, attributing much of it to the WPL’s popularity. “The other biggest impact is the fan base. I think because of WPL, and the teams, people have started following the players even more. The craze for women’s cricket in India has gone way up.”

Rodrigues also shared her experience of bonding with Delhi Capitals’ captain, Meg Lanning. “Before the WPL, we played Australia in the World Cup semis, and I saw her on the field. She’s incredibly competitive with an aggressive mindset, always looking to take the game on and stay positive. That perspective made me question whether she’d be approachable, but when we finally spoke once the WPL started, I realised she is so down-to-earth and friendly. I felt so nice, and realised, she might not always express it, but on field, her mindset is all about aggression and leading the team.”

Delhi Capitals will begin their WPL 2025 campaign against Mumbai Indians on February 15, at BCA Stadium in Vadodara, and Rodrigues is ready to play a pivotal role in the team’s quest for the title.