Annabel Sutherland is an invaluable addition to the DC side: Meg Lanning

Ahead of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction in December 2023, Australia’s Annabel Sutherland was expected to be a highly sought after player, and the same unfolded as the all-rounder was purchased for INR 2.00 crore by Delhi Capitals, making her the joint-most expensive player at the auction. 

In fact, Sutherland turned out to be the most expensive overseas player at the auction, with the second highest being Shabnim Ismail, who was bought for INR 1.2 crore by Mumbai Indians.

The Capitals, led by Meg Lanning, made it all the way to the final in the inaugural edition last year, but fell short in the last hurdle. They will be hoping to go all the way this time around, and skipper Lanning believes Sutherland will help them in their bid to do so.

The 22-year-old is entering this edition of the WPL in red-hot form, having just struck a double-ton and taken 5 wickets in the same Test against South Africa in Perth last week.

"She's really matured on and off the field in the past 12 months to become a really important part of any team that she plays in,” Lanning said of Sutherland ahead of DC’s first game.

“But for us, she brings some real power with the bat and she can play multiple roles for us depending on game situation. 

“But I think one of the biggest improvements in her game has been bowling and her ability to execute under pressure in the backend of the T20 innings, when it can be difficult as batters are going pretty hard. She (has) got a real understanding of what works and what does not work."

Preparing for a competition for the WPL can be tricky, for you seldom have all players available to pre-tournament camps ahead of the competition due to the hectic nature of the schedule.

Several Australia and South Africa players linked up with their respective franchises only a few days ago, but Lanning has personally been pleased with the preparation DC have had, entering into the new season.

"Our preparation has been great. We've had a little bit more time this year to get together as a squad and there's been some camps as well,” Lanning said.

“We have had some match simulation as well to allow people out in the middle to get a little bit of a feel for what their role might be. It's been a really smooth transition into the squad and everybody is really pumped to be able to kick off the tournament tomorrow (Friday) against Mumbai, which will be a great challenge.”

As much as it's a spectacle, the WPL is also about developing young Indian players, helping the country create a shed of talented young players just like the Indian Premier League (IPL) has done.

Lanning believes that, one season in, there’s already been a ‘significant improvement’ among local Indian players.

"There's been some really significant improvement in the local Indian players from what I've seen so far. I think WPL has played a big role in that among other factors.”