Key Points
- Delhi Capitals reach third consecutive WPL final with top table finish
With the WPL 2025 final set to take place on March 15 in Mumbai, Delhi Capitals are ready to make history and clinch their first-ever WPL title.
Star batter and vice-captain Jemimah Rodrigues shared insights on the team's preparation for the title clash, emphasising the advantages of the week-long break leading up to the final. DC played its last league stage match on March 7, with the final set to take place on Saturday.
"This gap has actually worked in our favour. We've had valuable team bonding sessions, and given the hectic schedule of this WPL with back-to-back matches and travel, this break has come at the right time. We have also had quality practice sessions on the Mumbai pitches to get used to the conditions. Sometimes, a short break helps us reset and be fully ready for the big day," she said during a virtual press conference on Thursday.
Reflecting on Delhi Capitals' previous two WPL finals, Rodrigues remained optimistic: "Yes, we all know what happened in the last two seasons, but that is cricket. Anything can change in one game, in one night. The entire team is positive and excited--no one is thinking about the past. Our focus is to go out there, enjoy the game, and play our best cricket. We love representing DC, we love this team, and we are going to give it our all on the finals night."
In eight matches and seven innings this season, Jemimah scored 116 runs at an average of 19.33, with one half-century and a strike rate of 127.47.
Speaking about her learnings as vice-captain under Meg Lanning, the aggressive right-hander highlighted the leadership qualities she admires in the legendary Australian cricketer, "The thing I love about Meg is that she is calm yet aggressive at the same time--a crucial quality for any leader. Last year, in a game that went down to the wire, I asked her if she was nervous. What she told me has stuck with me ever since. She said, 'As a captain, my job is to set the tone for the team and stay calm because I know everyone is looking at me. If I'm calm, the team is calm.' That made so much sense to me."
The eliminator between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants on Thursday will decide the Delhi Capitals' opponent for the final.