WPL 2025: Aakash Chopra Names Delhi Capitals as Title Contenders
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Synopsis
Aakash Chopra, the former Indian cricketer, believes that the Delhi Capitals are strong contenders for the WPL 2025 title. Despite not winning previously, their gameplay consistency suggests they may finally clinch the championship this season.
Key Takeaways
- Aakash Chopra sees Delhi Capitals as strong contenders for WPL 2025.
- DC has finished as runners-up in the previous two seasons.
- Team opens their campaign against Mumbai Indians on February 15.
- Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma return as opening pair.
- Shafali has excelled in domestic cricket recently.
New Delhi, Feb 10 (NationPress) Aakash Chopra, a former Indian cricketer, asserts that the Delhi Capitals are among the top contenders for the WPL 2025. Despite having missed out on the trophy twice, their remarkable consistency in gameplay positions them to make a significant impact this season.
The team has achieved the status of table-toppers during the league phases of WPL 2023 and WPL 2024, yet they finished as runners-up on both occasions, including matches played at their home ground, Arun Jaitley Stadium. The DC squad will kick off their WPL 2025 journey against the Mumbai Indians in Vadodara on February 15.
“While success is often measured by trophies, the Delhi Capitals have distinguished themselves in the first two seasons of the TATA WPL with their style and consistency. Although they have yet to clinch a title, their close call last season cannot be overlooked. Based on their past performances, I believe they will remain one of the favorites this year,” stated Chopra during a session on Disney+ Hotstar on Monday.
The opening duo for DC will again feature captain Meg Lanning alongside young talent Shafali Verma. However, Chopra expressed some doubts regarding their synergy as a pair in WPL 2025. Since her international retirement, Meg has played sporadically, while Shafali has been absent from the Indian team following a disappointing ODI series against New Zealand last year.
This situation led Shafali back to domestic cricket, where she excelled as the leading run-scorer in the Senior Women's One-Day Challenger Trophy, accumulating 414 runs in five matches with an average of 82.80 and a strike rate of 145.26, including one hundred and three fifties.
She also topped the charts in the Senior Women's One Day Trophy with 527 runs at an average of 75.29 and a strike-rate of 152.31. “Since Meg Lanning's departure from international cricket, she hasn’t been in peak form. Meanwhile, Shafali Verma has also seen a decline in her position within the Indian squad.”
“Neither player has demonstrated consistent scoring, but I am curious to see their performances in Season 3 of the WPL. One thing is certain—it will be both challenging and exhilarating,” concluded Chopra.
