How Delhi Capitals women's team used Apple Watch Ultra 2 to keep fit and improve performance

Technology is transforming sports in ways never seen before. Athletes use advanced wearable devices to track key health and fitness metrics such as training load, heart rate, mood and sleep data.

Based on this crucial information, coaches will be able to manage the workload effectively to avoid injuries and improve the efficiency of the athletes.

Delhi Capitals women's cricket team, the runner up of the recently concluded Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 used Apple Watch Ultra 2 to track their health and enhance their fitness.

They did pretty well up to the finals. They were the favourites to win, but luck wasn't in their favour and narrowly missed the target by just 8 runs against the Mumbai Indians.

DC's Australian all-rounder Jessica Louise Jonassen and Minnu Mani, Kerala's first women to represent the Indian national team shared their experience of using the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

DH: How beneficial the Apple Watch Ultra 2 has been to you in terms of improving your fitness and health?

Delhi Capitals' player Jessica Louise Jonassen.

Jessica Jonassen: It’s been extremely beneficial. I’ve been an Apple Watch user for a very long time. They’ve in fact associated with our Australian team and Cricket Australia, so I was familiar with the Apple Watch and its many features, but this is of course the newest and latest version, and for professional athletes an extremely useful tool to keep an eye on their fitness and progress.

Minnu Mani: It’s been a few weeks that we’ve all been using the Apple Watch Ultra 2, and it has numerous benefits for professional athletes like us. It’s been fun to try out the different features on it and see which ones I can use on a daily basis for my fitness goals

DH: Which are your favourite or most used apps on Apple Watch Ultra 2?

Jessica Jonassen: Apart from the Workout app, the Apple Watch has a Breathe and mindfulness feature, I like that. It’s something so important for overall health and well being, especially in high pressure situations, where you could do with some calm and just breathing to just centre yourself before tackling everything else. I really think it’s a valuable addition, and something I use myself.

Delhi Capitals' player Minnu Mani.

Minnu Mani: I like the Activity rings that keep updating throughout the day with my movement time and exercise time and stand time. And I can check my daily performance. The Apple Watch also notifies when I have hit a personal record for any exercise which is quite motivating. I think the heart rate feature is also something I’ve personally found useful.

DH: How helpful is Apple Watch in terms of balancing the workload during the training?

Jessica Jonassen: Well, the information is right there on your wrist or your phone. The numbers always tell a story, and it only benefits an athlete overall when the metrics are so handy, to adjust workout routines and workloads accordingly. As athletes, there’s so much we do beyond playing a match. And to be at our peak for that match, it’s vital to manage workload, and balance things out with rest and recovery when the body needs it so that it’s ready when it’s time to play. The Apple Watch is always with you assisting you in that.

Minnu Mani: Yes, I agree with Jessica. Numbers are very important to get an idea of where we stand, and how to need to manage our workload, depending on what is the situation – whether it is just workouts, or even a certain kind of training because we are priming before a match. Training is not about just spending long hours at nets or the gym every day, but understanding what you need at that time or situation so that when you have to be ready, you are at your prime.

DH: Does the team have a custom app or use native apps to track players' fitness based on metrics recorded on the Apple Watch?

Jessica Jonassen: We don’t have a custom app, but we are using the native apps and the info available on it to structure our workout plan ahead. In fact, the Health app has a period tracking cycle which is quite beneficial as you know when to expect your next cycle.

Minnu Mani: We use the native apps in the Apple Watch, and then can sit with our trainer and understand the metrics with regard to our performance, and how to improve. In fact you can customise in the Apple Watch itself. Like I can change the default setting and custom my exercise time or move time also.

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