Delhi Capitals coach Jonathan Batty said it was hard to let go of players, but he remains confident in the team’s core for the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL).
He praised Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma, Marizanne Kapp, Annabel Sutherland and Niki Prasad – the five key names the franchise kept after the first three seasons of the league.
Babii’s comments came after the DC team announced its retained players.
“The squad has played brilliantly in all three WPL seasons, staying tight and delivering results,” Batty explained.
“Releasing people after such success is never easy, but that’s just how the WPL works.”
The retained core carries a strong track record.
Rodrigues and Verma gave match‑winning performances in the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup semi‑final and final.
Niki Prasad, who captained India’s U19 side to a World T20 title in 2025, impressed this season as a rookie.
Kapp and Sutherland shone in the most recent 50‑over global event, proving they can fire anytime.
DC are the only franchise to reach every WPL final up to now.
The team will face a fresh challenge when the mega auction begins on Nov. 27 in New Delhi.
“There are 13 spots to fill, and the auction will test us,” said DC co‑owner Parth Jindal.
“We wish everyone well as they move on and are excited for what lies ahead.”
The announced retained salaries are ₹2.2 crore each for Rodrigues, Verma, Kapp and Sutherland, and ₹50 lakh for Prasad.
The list also names 13 released players, including former star Meg Lanning, Alice Capsey, Jess Jonassen, Radha Yadav, and others.
Co‑owner Kiran Kumar Grandhi echoed the team’s pride, saying, “The WPL has accelerated growth for women’s cricket in India. We’re proud of our final‑stage record and look forward to a new cycle that builds on our talent.”
As Delhi Capitals gear up for the auction, fans and analysts alike will watch if the club can stay on a winning trajectory, keeping its core intact while adding fresh talent in 2026.
Source: ianslive
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