WPL 2026: Delhi Capitals react to Alana King’s arrival as replacement player

In a strategic move ahead of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 season, Delhi Capitals (DC) announced the signing of Australian leg-spinner Alana King as a replacement for all-rounder Annabel Sutherland, who has withdrawn due to personal reasons. The JSW-GMR co-owned franchise recently confirmed the development, signaling a notable tactical shift just few days before the new season.

Perennial finalists in all three editions of the WPL so far, Delhi Capitals are once again shaping their squad with the clear aim of going one step further and lifting their first title.

Excitement builds as Alana King joins Delhi brigade

The announcement sparked immediate excitement within the Capitals camp. Team captain Jemimah Rodrigues welcomed Alana with an enthusiastic social media post, highlighting her big-tournament pedigree and recent form. The franchise’s official handle followed suit, unveiling a vibrant graphic of Alana in Delhi Capitals colours, skateboarding through graffiti-laced visuals that symbolised her dynamic on-field personality. The caption, “Dilli ki Queen,” quickly caught on with fans.

Hashtags such as #DilliKiQueen and #AlanaKingDC began trending, reflecting the buzz around the signing and the expectations surrounding King’s role in the upcoming season.

Annabel Sutherland exit forces tactical pivot

Annabel Sutherland’s withdrawal is a significant loss for Delhi Capitals. The 23-year-old Australian all-rounder had been an important part of the squad over the past two seasons, offering pace bowling options and late-order hitting. Retained for ₹2.2 crore ahead of the auction, Sutherland’s unavailability forced the franchise to rethink its balance.

Rather than seeking a like-for-like seam-bowling all-rounder, Delhi opted to strengthen their spin department. comes in at a reserve price of ₹60 lakh, representing a clear shift in strategy from seam-heavy depth to spin variety – an approach that could prove decisive on Indian surfaces.

Alana King’s credentials and experience in Indian conditions

Now 30, King brings an impressive resume to the Capitals. She rose to global prominence with a sensational spell of 7 for 18 against South Africa at the Women’s Cricket World Cup, one of the finest bowling performances in tournament history. Across 27 T20Is, King has claimed 27 wickets at an economy rate of just 6.58, underlining her control and wicket-taking ability.

Her recent Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) campaign with Perth Scorchers further showcased her value, as she picked up 12 wickets in 13 matches and helped the Scorchers reach the final as runners-up. Although she went unsold at the WPL 2026 auction, Alana is no stranger to Indian conditions, having previously featured in one match for UP Warriorz last season.

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Delhi Capitals looking forward to Mumbai Indians clash and maiden WPL title

Delhi Capitals will begin their WPL 2026 campaign against Mumbai Indians (MI) on January 10 at the DY Patil Stadium, a fixture that revisits memories of past final heartbreaks. Alana’s arrival could prove pivotal on spin-friendly tracks as Delhi once again chase the elusive title after three runner-up finishes.

As other franchises also adjust their squads, the Capitals appear spin-enriched, energized, and hungry. With Alana’s flair and experience added to the mix, Delhi’s quest for WPL glory in 2026 looks more compelling than ever.

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This article was first published at , a Cricket Times company.