Aakash Chopra Predicts Delhi Capitals to Win WPL Title and Mandhana as Orange Cap Contender

Chopra's Bold Prediction for Delhi Capitals

Aakash Chopra, a former Indian cricketer, has expressed his belief that the Delhi Capitals (DC) will finally clinch their first Women's Premier League (WPL) title this season. He also named Smriti Mandhana, the captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), as a leading candidate for the Orange Cap. The fourth season of the WPL is set to kick off on January 9, featuring the defending champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), and RCB in the opening match.

Delhi Capitals Aim for Their First Title

During a segment on JioStar's 'TATA WPL 2026 Predictions', Chopra stated, "I believe Delhi Capitals will emerge victorious this time. They have assembled a strong team and have reached the finals in all three previous seasons. It's time for them to win."

Finals History of Delhi Capitals

Under the leadership of Meg Lanning, a renowned captain for Australia, the Delhi Capitals have made it to the finals in each of the last three seasons. However, they have yet to secure a win, suffering defeats against MI by seven wickets, RCB by eight wickets, and narrowly losing to MI by eight runs last season while chasing a target of 150 runs. This season, they will be led by Jemimah Rodrigues, who recently had a stellar performance in the ICC Women's World Cup, including a remarkable 127* against Australia in the semifinals.

Mandhana as the Leading Candidate for the Orange Cap

Chopra also highlighted Smriti Mandhana as a strong contender for the Orange Cap, stating, "I see her as the frontrunner for the most runs this season. However, I cannot overlook Shafali Verma from DC as a potential competitor." Mandhana had an impressive year in women's T20Is, accumulating 341 runs in nine matches at an average of 37.88, including a century and two fifties. She was the top run-scorer in women's ODIs this year, amassing 1,362 runs in 23 matches.

Shafali Verma: A Key Player to Watch

Shafali Verma also stands out as a formidable contender. In T20Is, she scored 417 runs in 10 matches, averaging 52.12, with four fifties and a top score of 79*. She ranks as the fourth-highest run-scorer in WPL history, with 865 runs in 27 matches at an average of 36.04 and a strike rate exceeding 162. Last season, she was instrumental in DC's runner-up finish, scoring 309 runs in nine innings.