Vadodara, Feb 3 (.) Former India wicketkeeper-batter Saba Karim has underlined the importance of Laura Wolvaardt and Delhi Capitals skipper Jemimah Rodrigues in the middle overs as DC prepare to face Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 Eliminator on Tuesday.
Speaking on JioHotstar’s ‘Match Centre Live’, Karim highlighted how the duo’s technical soundness and ability to score on slow surfaces could prove decisive in the high-pressure knockout clash at the BCA Stadium, Vadodara.
“Laura Wolvaardt is going to have a very important role to play, given the conditions in Vadodara. Spending time at the crease, controlling the innings, scoring runs according to the situation, and knowing which balls to target, she excels at all of these,” Karim said. “That is why Delhi Capitals will really need her expertise, especially in the middle overs.”
Karim also emphasised skipper Jemimah Rodrigues’ value against spin-friendly conditions, pointing to her wide range of strokes and attacking intent even when the pitch slows down.
“Alongside her, Jemimah will be very important to the team, as she can contribute with her batting and play attacking shots. She has a wide range of shots, including the sweep, the reverse sweep, and the slog sweep,” he added. “On such wickets, you need solid technique and good temperament, and both these batters possess that kind of skill set.”
Delhi Capitals enter the Eliminator on the back of a crucial five-wicket win over UP Warriorz in their final league match, a must-win encounter that sealed their playoff berth. The victory also resulted in the elimination of two-time champions Mumbai Indians and UP Warriorz from the tournament.
The Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals Eliminator will be played on Tuesday, with the winner set to face defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the WPL 2026 final on February 5, at the same venue.
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