3 things that make Delhi Capitals the strongest team in WPL 2024

Delhi Capitals booked their place in the WPL 2024 final with a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Gujarat Giants in the last league game of the tournament at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Wednesday, March 13. They had already qualified for the playoffs, but the win sent them directly to the final for the second straight year.

Asked to bowl first after losing the toss, Delhi Capitals held Gujarat Giants to 126-9, with Marizanne Kapp, Shikha Pandey and Minnu Mani claiming two wickets apiece. For Gujarat, Bharati Fulmali top-scored with 42 off 36.

Delhi Capitals cruised home in their chase, needing only 13.1 overs to gun down the target. Opener Shafali Verma hammered 71 off 37, hitting seven fours and five sixes, while Jemimah Rodrigues remained unbeaten on 38 off 28.

With DC entering the WPL 2024 final, we analyze three reasons why they are the strongest side in this year's tournament.

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#1 Delhi Capitals' exceptional all-round strength

Alice Capsey is a versatile cricketer.

The versatility in their side with regard to players who can contribute with both bat and ball is one of the key factors behind their success in WPL 2024. They have England's Alice Capsey, who can bat in the top-three and claim crucial wickets with her off-spin.

South Africa's Marizanne Kapp is a match-winner with the ball. She has single-handedly won games for the Capitals with her pace-bowling, making the ball talk. She can also utilize the long handle to great effect and play crucial cameos at a swift pace.

Seasoned Australian Jess Jonassen is another X-factor player in the DC set-up. Jonassen's four overs with a ball are mostly highly productive ones, and she has that knack of breaking crucial partnerships.

Jonassen also has that ability to play scintillating cameos that can have a game-changing impact.

Few teams in the WPL can lay claim to having some high quality resources in their all-round department, which is why the Delhi Capitals have a significant advantage over other teams.

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#2 Form of key players

Meg Lanning has led from the front for DC

It's one thing having big names in your team and totally another having them in form. Delhi Capitals tick both boxes. They have star players in their mix who are also performing to potential.

DC captain Meg Lanning is the leading run-getter this season. In eight innings, she has slammed 308 runs at an average of 38.50 and a strike rate of 125.20, with four half-centuries, the most by any batter in the competition.

Lanning's opening partner, Shafali Verma, also features in the top-five run-getters in WPL 2024. She has smashed 265 runs in eight innings at an average of 37.88 and an excellent strike rate of 155.88. Shafali has three half-centuries and has got the team off to rollicking starts.

The experienced Rodrigues has also played a couple of good knocks in WPL 2024. She slapped a brilliant 69* off 33 against Mumbai Indians, while Capsey has contributed 230 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 126.37.

In bowling, the Delhi Capitals duo of Kapp and Jonassen are the joint-leading wicket-takers with 11 scalps apiece. That explains why the team has been so successful in WPL 2024. Their other bowlers have also chipped in well.

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#3 Strong Indian contingent

Shafali Verma has played some cracking knocks.

Since only four overseas players are allowed in a playing XI in the WPL (unless a team fields an associate cricketer), it's very important for franchises to have a strong set of Indian players.

That's another area where the Delhi Capitals have a huge advantage over the other teams.

Shafali and Jemimah are proven performers in batting. In bowling, left-arm spinner Radha Yadav has picked up 10 wickets, while pacers Arundhati Reddy and Shikha Pandey have snared eight each. Off-spinner Minnu Mani impressed with 2-9 against Gujarat Giants.

To surmise, as a complete package, the Delhi Capitals are the strongest team in the Women's Premier League 2024.