Delhi Capitals are setting their sights on claiming the Women's Premier League (WPL) title in the upcoming 2026 season, after reaching the finals in all three previous editions but failing to clinch the trophy. The team is strategizing at the auction, scheduled to take place in New Delhi on Thursday, November 27, 2025, to bolster their squad and finally go one better.

The Delhi Capitals have retained a solid core of five players, including Indian stars Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma, along with overseas all-rounders Marizanne Kapp and Annabel Sutherland, and young talent Niki Prasad. This retention strategy leaves them with a purse of ₹5.7 crore for the auction.

Notably, the Capitals have released their former captain, Meg Lanning. This decision, described as one of the toughest of Coach Jonathan Batty's career, signals a strategic shift for the team. As a result, the Capitals will be looking for a new captain and a wicket-keeper. Former Indian batter Anjum Chopra has suggested that the Delhi Capitals may target Alyssa Healy, the experienced Australian wicketkeeper-batter and leader, to fill this void. Healy previously captained UP Warriorz in the 2023 and 2024 seasons and could be a valuable addition to the Delhi Capitals squad.

According to reports, Delhi Capitals entered the WPL 2025 mini auction with a budget of INR 2.5 crore, and successfully secured wicketkeepers Nandini Kashyap and Sarah Bryce, all-rounder N Charani, and young talent Niki Prasad. Nandini Kashyap was the first player bought for INR 10 lakhs. Delhi Capitals engaged in a bidding war with Mumbai Indians to sign N Charani for INR 55 lakhs and acquired Sarah Bryce for INR 10 lakhs.

With the auction purse set at ₹15 crore for each team, Delhi Capitals will aim to strategically utilize their remaining funds to acquire players who complement their retained core. The team will seek to create a balanced squad with both experience and youth, focusing on strengthening their bowling attack and adding depth to their batting lineup.

The WPL 2026 auction will involve 277 players vying for 73 available slots across the five teams. Each team can have a maximum of 18 players in their squad. The auction will be held in New Delhi, starting at 3:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).

As the Delhi Capitals look to build a winning combination for WPL 2026, their performance at the auction will be crucial in determining their chances of finally lifting the coveted trophy. The team's fans will be eagerly watching to see how they utilize their resources and which players they bring in to bolster their squad.