Mumbai, February 9: Delhi Capitals star batter Jemimah Rodrigues is determined to win the Women's Premier League trophy in the upcoming season after finishing runners-up in the previous two editions. In both the inaugural edition in 2023 and subsequent one in 2024, DC lost in the finals to Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru by seven and eight wickets respectively to finish second best. But this time around Rodrigues hopes to go one step ahead. Kate Cross Opens Up on Withdrawing From Upcoming WPL 2025 Edition, Star Speedster Says, ‘Need To Take Time to Rehab Her Injury Fully’.

"We have been very good and consistent in the last two seasons as a team. Of course, there's this one final, which I'm sure we will cross, and get our hands on the trophy, but we have been doing the right things. There are some days when you can't control the outcome. We have been putting in all our hard work as the DC unit and will keep playing to win," Rodrigues said in a release issued by DC.

Talking about preparations for the upcoming WPL, Rodrigues said: "My preparation is pretty simple. Whatever I'm going to face in the match, I'll try to bring those situations into practice, be it playing aggressively or holding the innings together from one end.

"There's also a lot of power-hitting because it's T20. So I use the heavy balls which help me get my bat swing faster and gives more power."

The 24-year-old, who has scored 381 runs in 18 WPL matches at a strike rate of 143.82, also spoke about the impact of WPL on women's cricket in India.

"Playing among the best in the WPL brings out the best in every player, whether they're new to international cricket or experienced. The more competitive games we play, the more we are put in that pressure situation, the more it helps us know what to do in such situations. Even the standard in the domestic cricket has gone up," she highlighted. Top Five Run-Scorers in WPL History: From Meg Lanning to Nat Sciver-Brunt, A Look at Highest Run-Scorers Ahead of Women's Premier League 2025.

"The other biggest impact is the fan base. I think because of WPL, and the teams, people have started following the players even more. The craze for women's cricket in India has gone way up."

Rodrigues also said she shares a close bond with DC skipper Meg Lanning and have learnt a lot from the Australian's aggressive approach towards the game.

"I remember before the WPL, we played Australia in the World Cup semis, and I saw her (Lanning) on the field. She's incredibly competitive with an aggressive mindset, she's always looking to take the game on and stay positive.

"That perspective made me question whether she'd be approachable, but when we finally spoke once the WPL started, I realised she is so down-to-earth and friendly. I felt so nice, and realised, she might not always express it, but on field, her mindset is all about aggression and leading the team," she said.

DC will begin their WPL 2025 campaign against Mumbai Indians on February 15 at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara.

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