New Delhi, Nov 27 (NationPress) Parth Jindal, co-owner of Delhi Capitals, stated that the franchise is firmly committed to appointing an Indian captain for the forthcoming WPL season. During the ongoing mega auction, DC has strengthened their roster with significant acquisitions including Laura Wolvaardt, Chinelle Henry, Sneh Rana, Lizelle Lee, and promising talent Deeya Yadav, while also re-signing left-arm spinner N Sree Charani.

“No, no, not at all. We are definitely focused on having an Indian captain. Depending on our other selections, we've already made our decision. However, let's see how things unfold. Laura will certainly contribute valuable leadership within the team. But we are determined to go with an Indian captain,” Jindal mentioned at the press conference.

Bringing Laura onboard opens the possibility of her taking on the captaincy, especially after Meg Lanning transitioned to UP Warriorz. Alternatively, India batter Jemimah Rodrigues might step up as the team leader. Laura will also serve as an opener alongside the dynamic Shafali Verma.

“We pushed hard to secure Meg, but I believe we have acquired an exceptional player in Laura who can step into those shoes. Not only was she the top run-scorer in the recent World Cup, but she also possesses leadership qualities,” Jindal added.

“We are thrilled about our spin department now that Sree Charani and Sneh Rana are part of the team - it’s a stronger unit compared to last year.”

“We still have some budget available to pursue additional players. Overall, it looks like we have a well-balanced team with Henry joining us, as she can bowl with the new ball. One of our shortcomings last season was a lack of explosiveness in the lower order, and she brings that to the table.”

“With Sutherland, Kapp, Henry, and then Charani and Sneh, along with Shafali and Nikki - all of whom can bowl - we’ll have more than six bowling options and a robust batting lineup. Things look promising, and having reached three finals, it's time we take that extra step,” Jindal elaborated.

He also discussed the evolution of WPL since its inception in 2023 and how the ODI World Cup victory will pique fan interest for the upcoming season.

“Three years ago, all the owners took a bold step into the women’s game, and we’re delighted we did. When the bidding began, we were certain that this sport will only continue to grow, and witnessing 446 million Indians tune into the World Cup final - more than the audience for the men’s T20 World Cup final - illustrates the game's progress.”

“I noted in one of my tweets that the World Cup triumph in 2025 is the turning point for women’s cricket, and I believe this season will draw unprecedented interest in the WPL. The number of people approaching me, asking about the November 27 women’s auction or inquiring about retaining Lanning, is a clear indication of the growing interest that we didn’t see in the past three years.”

He concluded by suggesting that a new WPL team and a home-and-away format would be ideal. “Yes, we would love to see the WPL in a home-and-away format. This caravan format is acceptable, but not optimal. I trust the BCCI is addressing this. Given the limited timeframe, this is the best structure to fit WPL within this window,” he stated.

“I hope we can secure a longer window for WPL in the future. It’s likely that one or two new teams will enter at some point, which is why this cycle is so short with only two WPLs in 14 months. I am confident the BCCI is planning to introduce a team, and with that addition, we can transition to a home-and-away format that would be ideal for fans, the sport, and the expansion of WPL.