WPL 2023 Auction: Jemimah Rodrigues - most expensive Delhi Capitals player - wants to win inaugural trophy

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Mumbai, Feb 14: A day after she guided Team India to an emphatic win over Pakistan in the ongoing ICC T20 Women's World Cup 2023, stylish India batter Jemimah Rodrigues was picked by Delhi Capitals for a price of Rs 2.20 crore at the Women's Premier League (WPL) Auction 2023.

The right-handed top-order batter from Mumbai slammed a match-winning fifty against Pakistan in the run chase of 150 to help Women in Blue cruise to a 7-wicket win in their tournament opener.

Jemimah Rodrigues WPL 2023 Auction Price

Rodrigues turned out to be the most-expensive buy for the Delhi franchise. She was followed by her India teammate Shafali Verma - who was purchased for Rs 2 crore.

After emerging as the third most expensive Indian player at the WPL Auction 2023, the 22-year-old was pumped to be part of the Delhi franchise and expressed confidence that the landmark WPL 2023 will change the face of women's cricket in the country as a whole.

While speaking exclusively to JioCinema and Sports18, Rodrigues said she wants to win the trophy for the franchise.

"I don't know what to say right now, but when it happened, the entire team was there, and what stood out for me was how everyone was celebrating for each other. It's a very special moment, the auctions and Delhi, and I have heard so much about the team that I am sure it is going to be a great endeavour.

The stylish batter - who has proven her mettle in BBL and The Hundred - claimed her experience of working with Delhi Capitals Women's head coach Jonathan Batty in the past will bode her well.

"I have also worked with Jonathan Batty at The Stars; I know him well and I know how he works and how he goes about things, so I am really excited to be there. It will definitely change the course of cricket around the world, as I have stated in numerous interviews; not only are we interested in learning about the IPL, but foreigners are as well, and they are eager to learn when and how it will begin. They were very excited, and they were so glued. Even here, when we saw pictures on Twitter, we saw that the Aussies in the training were following what was going on in the auction. So I think it's going to change a lot of things, not only in cricket but around the world," she added.

Rodrigues also claimed that she's waiting early for the WPL 2023 season to start and help the franchise lift the coveted trophy in the inaugural edition.

"Honestly speaking, I never thought that women's cricket would take off. In fact, when I started, I didn't know women's cricket existed. So, to see the kind of growth and change that has occurred, and now having the WPL with an auction and proper franchise teams investing in them, demonstrates how much has changed in the last few years. I am really excited to be part of the Delhi Capitals, really looking forward to it, and can't wait to kick off this journey and hopefully win the trophy this time for the Delhi Capitals."

Delhi franchise hasn't lifted the IPL title in the history of the tournament and the women's team - which has international stars like Beth Mooney, Marizanne Kapp, Shikha Pandey, and Jess Jonassen - will be eager to end the drought.