New Delhi, Jan 5 (NationPress) Renowned South African seam-bowling all-rounder Marizanne Kapp has expressed her unwavering support for Jemimah Rodrigues as the newly appointed captain of Delhi Capitals (DC) for WPL 2026. Kapp noted that she has recognized the Indian batter's potential for leadership for quite some time.

With Meg Lanning, who captained DC in the initial three seasons, transitioning to lead UP Warriorz, Jemimah is set to assume the captaincy for the upcoming season commencing January 9. "I won’t lie; losing Meg as a captain is significant. She is an accomplished leader, not just for DC but in the global cricket arena," Kapp remarked.

“However, I mentioned years ago that if asked who should be India's next captain, my answer would be Jemimah. She possesses the ability to unite a team through her personality and caring nature. I believe she has always been a leader,” Marizanne stated during a select virtual roundtable with reporters.

She also emphasized that a cadre of experienced international players will support Jemimah in her leadership role. “Every new captain faces challenges, but so does any captain, regardless of their experience. Jemimah is surrounded by many senior players who have been here before. The management remains unchanged, providing her with substantial support if she encounters difficulties. I have faith that Jemimah will seize this opportunity with both hands and achieve great success,” she added.

DC has faced disappointment by reaching three consecutive WPL finals without securing a title. When discussing these near victories, Marizanne cited a combination of unfortunate circumstances and subpar performances on crucial days that thwarted their title pursuits.

"I don’t think it’s a pressure issue. Every game comes with its own pressure. We have performed exceptionally well over the past three years. At times, it was simply a matter of bad luck. In our first season, we lost three wickets from full tosses that could have easily been no balls on another day. In the second year, we played on a particularly slow pitch that didn’t cater to our pace-oriented attack, affecting both our bowlers and batters. It’s a blend of unfortunate luck and not delivering our best in finals, but I wouldn’t attribute it to an inability to handle pressure," she explained.

Marizanne highlighted the impact of fellow South Africans Laura Wolvaardt and Lizelle Lee on the DC team, stating, "Having some South Africans here has been fantastic. I was thrilled for them to experience this environment. The DC setup is the best I've encountered in any league. It's a wonderful group of players and management."

"I'm eager for them to feel this as well. The treatment we receive as a team is exceptional, and I’m looking forward to the upcoming season. We also have players like Alana King and Chinelle Henry joining us, who we know well. Everyone is getting along seamlessly, fitting in effortlessly," she added.

Marizanne praised the WPL's role in advancing women's cricket, linking the league's success to India’s historic ODI World Cup victory. "Many don’t realize how crucial these leagues are for women's cricket, particularly the WPL. India recently won their first cricket World Cup in many years, showcasing its profound impact on both women's and Indian cricket," she remarked.

The WPL has specifically enhanced Marizanne’s assertiveness in batting, which is essential given her position in the batting order. "Personally, I believe my game has evolved significantly due to these leagues. Observing the emergence of young talent is a testament to leagues like WPL," she noted.

"My role often requires me to bat aggressively due to limited time at the crease. I must make every ball count. My entry point within games has encouraged me to be more aggressive. This has been an area where I’ve improved, thanks to the WPL. The pressures of playing in India and on these wickets are challenging, particularly with the ball," she elaborated.

Marizanne also mentioned that the demanding Indian conditions have strengthened her mental resilience as a batter. "Bowlers face immense pressure, knowing that batters follow them, and it’s tough to bowl here. Developing grit and perseverance is crucial. One must accept that runs may be conceded but stay committed to the fight and trust one’s abilities," she said.

She concluded by emphasizing that fast bowlers have consistently proven their match-winning capabilities despite the challenging conditions throughout all three WPL seasons. "It's a challenge; everyone knows bowling in India isn’t easy. However, the past three years have demonstrated the crucial role pace bowlers play. Yes, spinners are vital, but often it’s the pace bowlers who win matches, particularly during power plays and at the death, which are the toughest times to bowl. Competing in leagues like the WPL, where pace bowling is particularly challenging, not only hones your skills as a cricketer but also as a person, as it requires determination and resilience," she concluded.