Meg Lanning named Delhi Capitals captain at WPL

Australia captain Meg Lanning is set to lead the Delhi Capitals franchise in the inaugural edition of Women's Premier League (WPL) that starts on March 4 in Mumbai. Lanning has won a record four T20 World Cups as captain for Australia, including the most recent one in South Africa last month having beaten the hosts in the final.

Lanning, 30, arrived in Mumbai on Thursday for the WPL. She has played 132 T20Is, scoring 3405 runs with two centuries and 15 half-centuries at an average of 36.61 and strike rate of 116.37. She has led Australia in 100 T20Is, the most by any women's player to captain a side in the format.

Jemimah Rodrigues will be the vice-captain of Capitals, who begin their WPL campaign on March 5 against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Brabourne Stadium.

Lanning said of her appointment: "It's a very proud moment for me, firstly to be involved with Delhi Capitals and then to lead them. It's about enjoying yourself, getting the best out of yourself.

"WPL is a massive moment for the sport, it's the logical next step and makes a lot of sense. Cricket in India is people's lives and the fact that WPL is up and running, and to be involved in something like this, is amazing. It's only going to grow in the coming years."

Lanning is the third Australia player to lead a WPL side, after Beth Mooney was named Gujarat Giants' captain and Alyssa Healy for UP Warriorz. Mumbai Indians will be led by India captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Royal Challengers by Smriti Mandhana.