After finishing as runners-up in back-to-back editions of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Delhi Capitals enter the 2025 season with a point to prove. They topped the league table in both seasons but faltered in the final, raising questions about their ability to deliver in crunch moments. With Australian legend Meg Lanning returning as captain, Capitals have once again built a formidable squad, blending international superstars with Indian talent. However, whether they can finally go the distance remains to be seen.
Their auction strategy reflected a clear intent to bolster key areas. Capitals made four new signings, including their most expensive buy, all-rounder N Chirani, who was picked up for Rs 55 lakh. The inclusion of Scotland’s Sarah Bryce as an associate player allows them the luxury of fielding five overseas players in their XI, potentially giving them a strategic edge.
As Capitals prepare for another title challenge, let’s break down their Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) heading into WPL 2025.
SWOT Analysis of Delhi Capitals Women for WPL 2025
Strengths
•Meg Lanning’s Leadership: A seven-time world champion, Lanning’s tactical acumen and experience make her one of the best captains in the game. Her presence provides stability and direction to the squad.
•Explosive Top Order: Capitals boast a power-packed batting line-up featuring Lanning, Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues, capable of setting the tone early. The opening pair of Shafali and Lanning has managed 868 runs in 18 innings, at an average of 51.05.
•All-Rounder Depth: With Marizanne Kapp, Annabel Sutherland and Jess Jonassen in the mix, DC have a versatile set of all-rounders who bring experience and balance to the team. Both Jonassen and Kapp have taken 20 wickets each in 16 games so far in WPL at an economy of 7.50 and 5.96 respectively.
•Strong Bowling Core: Shikha Pandey, Titas Sadhu and Minnu Mani form a solid Indian pace-spin combination, while Niki Prasad’s emergence as a young X-factor adds variety. Shikha is the second-highest wicket-taker with 19 wickets in 18 innings, at an economy of 6.89.
Weaknesses
•Over-Reliance on Overseas Players: Capitals depend heavily on their foreign contingent in key positions. If their overseas stars don’t fire, it could expose a lack of depth in the domestic core. Across two seasons, DC have won 12 matches and out of that in nine matches the player of the match has gone to their overseas players. Only Jemimah (2) and Shafali have got player of the match awards in the last three games that DC won last season.
•Middle-Order Concerns: While the top order looks dangerous, the middle order lacks proven firepower. The likes of Sarah Bryce, Kapp and Jonassen will need to step up to ensure consistency.
•Big-Match Pressure: Despite dominating the league stage in both previous seasons, DC have struggled to close out crucial games, particularly in the finals. Their mental preparedness in knockout matches remains a concern.
Opportunities
•Young Stars Stepping Up: Players like Niki, Nandini Kashyap and Chirani have a golden chance to prove themselves on a big stage, which could fast-track their national team aspirations.
•Flexibility with Overseas Players: With an Associate player in the squad, DC have the option to play five overseas players, offering them a tactical advantage in squad composition. In 2024, Bryce scored 129 runs in 10 WT20I innings, average 16.12 and a strike rate of 78.65 for Scotland.
•Tactical Adjustments Under Lanning: Learning from past mistakes, Lanning can make strategic changes to ensure they peak at the right time, especially in knockout games.
Threats
•Batting Strike Rate Issues: Capitals have struggled at times to convert good starts into match-winning totals. Their middle order will need to maintain a high scoring rate to avoid stagnation. Speaking of middle order batters in last two seasons, Alice Capsey’s strike rate is 136.49, Jemimah’s strike rate is 143.82 and Kapp’s strike rate is 124.87.
•Opposition Game Plans: With two seasons of data on DC’s style of play, opponents will have a clearer blueprint to counter their strengths, making adaptability crucial.
•Injuries and Fatigue: The tournament’s compact schedule means any injuries to key players, especially among their overseas contingent, could disrupt team balance.
Retained squad: Alice Capsey, Arundhati Reddy, Jemimah Rodrigues, Jess Jonassen, Marizanne Kapp, Meg Lanning (c), Minnu Mani, Radha Yadav, Shafali Verma, Shikha Pandey, Sneha Deepthi, Taniya Bhatia, Titas Sadhu, Annabel Sutherland
New recruitments: Nandini Kashyap (Rs. 10 lakh), N Charani (Rs. 55 lakh), Sarah Bryce (Rs. 10 lakh), Niki Prasad (Rs. 10 lakh)
Sqaud: Alice Capsey, Arundhati Reddy, Jemimah Rodrigues, Jess Jonassen, Marizanne Kapp, Meg Lanning (c), Minnu Mani, Radha Yadav, Shafali Verma, Shikha Pandey, Sneha Deepthi, Taniya Bhatia, Titas Sadhu, Annabel Sutherland, Nandini Kashyap, N Charani, Sarah Bryce, Niki Prasad
Predicted XI: Meg Lanning (c), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Alice Capsey, Marizanne Kapp, Nandini Kashyap (wk), Jess Jonassen, Radha Yadav, Minnu Mani, Arundhati Reddy, Shikha Pandey