Delhi Capitals (DC) are set to play the final of the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL) against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Brabourne Stadium tomorrow. This marks their third final in three seasons, showcasing remarkable consistency, but they are still searching for their maiden title.
Under the leadership of Meg Lanning, DC will be eager to finally lift the trophy this time. Ahead of the crucial clash, the legendary former Australian captain had a candid conversation with RevSportz’s Editor-in-Chief, Boria Majumdar. In this exclusive chat, Lanning spoke about DC as a franchise, the key to their consistency, the challenge of crossing the final hurdle, Jemimah Rodrigues’s impact, and much more.
The Delhi franchise, she noted, is structured in a way that allows its leadership group to make key decisions while also benefiting from valuable insights from experienced personnel. “Right from the owners to Sourav (Ganguly) to all the staff, it is all been very positive,” said Lanning. “Everybody wants to win, and that has been a big driver. There is a lot of great knowledge from different people, and it is important to listen to all of that and take in the bits and pieces that can be really helpful.”
She also credited the team management for giving her and head coach Jonathan Batty the freedom to lead. “They have put a lot of trust in myself and Jonathan to be able to lead the team how we want to and back the players. It is a really good balance.”
For the Latest Sports News: Click Here
#MegLanning Exclusive
One of the most successful captains, Meg Lanning has led @DelhiCapitals to three back to back finals of WPL. Can they go the distance this time?
Captaincy philosophy, the franchise and their role, Indians in the DC Squad and more!
Listen in
… pic.twitter.com/NOnhZgu6SI
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) March 14, 2025
Discussing leadership potential within Indian cricket, Lanning spoke highly of Jemimah. “Jemimah has been a big part of our team from the start,” she said. “She is our vice-captain and provides a lot of energy within the group. Even though she is still quite young, she has played a lot internationally and domestically as well.” Jemimah’s has been an important voice in discussions about local Indian players, and Lanning believes she possesses qualities that would serve her well if leadership opportunities arise.
However, Lanning also emphasised that leadership is not just about a title. “You do not have to have the name next to you to be able to have an impact,” she said. “I think that is the really good thing about this group. I think of Aru Reddy coming up to me whenever a new batter comes in and saying, ‘They do this, they do that.’ That is a really cool thing we have got within this group.”
One of Delhi’s strategic successes this season was using Jess Jonassen at No. 3, a move that proved highly effective. “As a franchise over the three years, our power play has been a very successful part of our batting innings, and we want to take the game on and attack it. Alice Capsey has done that for us in the past, but it is pretty hard to squeeze everybody into the team. We felt like JJ was a good option—she is a genuine batter, bats high up back in Australia, and has played some really big roles.” The move worked well and has given the team flexibility heading into the final.
Delhi’s consistency over three seasons is a testament to their depth and adaptability. “We have not relied on one or two players throughout the season this year,” said Lanning. “It is not easy to get yourself into a final, so that says we are doing a lot right. This season, we have been improving the whole way through the tournament.”
Looking ahead to the final, she stressed the importance of executing their strengths. “When you get to finals, it is about doing the basics really well and sticking to your strengths, particularly when the pressure comes. We feel very confident that we have got the squad to be able to take it to whoever we come up against.”
Preparation and mindset are crucial ahead of high-stakes matches. “Two things, probably,” said Lanning when asked what might make the difference. “First, prepare as you do for any game because that is the bit you can control. Our preparation has not changed from the rest of the tournament. The other thing is to really enjoy the experience because once you get to the game, it is different. There is a lot more on the line than the round games, so you just need to try and embrace what is there and look at it as an opportunity rather than something to get nervous about.”
Among the memories she will take away from this season, one stands out. “The other night when we got back from a game in Bangalore, we had actually lost,” she said. “But we got back to the hotel, and Jemmy [Rodrigues] and JJ got up and played a few songs on their guitar. We had a few sing-alongs with all the staff, players, and families. That was just one of those moments where you really enjoy being there and realise that there’s the cricket part of it, but there’s so much more to it than that. It is about the people you meet and the environment you create.”
Also Read: Delhi Capitals aim for maiden WPL title against in-form Mumbai Indians
The post “Jemimah has been a big part of our team from the start”: Meg Lanning ahead of WPL final appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports.
