Few cricketers have left an indelible mark on the game quite like Meg Lanning, a name synonymous with excellence in women’s cricket. A prolific batter and an intelligent leader, she has achieved unparalleled success, winning seven world championship victories, including two Women’s Cricket World Cups and five ICC Women’s T20 World Cup titles.
However, after a glittering international career, Lanning bid farewell to the international stage in November 2023 and since then has shifted her focus to domestic leagues like the Women’s Premier League, Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL), Women’s Big Bash League, and The Hundred.
Amidst the ongoing WPL 2025, Lanning opened up about her life after retirement, stating “I wish every day was game day, to be honest with you, but it’s been nice to have that international pressure released a little bit.”
She expressed her relief to be able to enjoy herself on the field and give more time to her team-mates. Lanning also highlighted the benefits of having more time at home, allowing her to attend family gatherings and spend time with her loved ones.
As the skipper of Delhi Capitals, Meg Lanning has been instrumental in mentoring her team-mates helping them hone their skills. “At training, it’s a good chance to chat with different bowlers. We’ve got a really good crew of net bowlers with use,” Lanning said.
She specifically mentioned her frequent discussions with Salonee, a net bowler, about handling pressure when batters attack aggressively and adapting strategies to different game situations.
Under Lanning’s leadership, Delhi Capitals have finished as runners-up twice, losing to Mumbai Indians in the first season and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the second. As one of the most successful batters in the tournament, she held the orange cap in the inaugural 2023 season and finished just behind Ellyse Perry in 2024.
When asked about her desire to win the WPL, Meg Lanning expressed her enthusiasm saying, “It’s certainly something that I’d love to be a part of, winning the WPL”. “I think as a franchise; we’ve done a lot right over the first two years. We’ve put together a really good squad, and as a team, we get on very well,” she added.
When asked if she would ever celebrate a trophy win with arms outstretched like Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, Meg Lanning laughed, admitting she hadn’t considered it but was open to the idea. She also noted that the Delhi Capitals team has a way of bringing her out of her shell more than others.
Meg Lanning has had a modest start to WPL 2025, scoring only 105 runs in 5 matches, with just one notable score of 69. With half of the tournament completed, it remains to be seen if she can regain her form and make a significant impact in the remaining matches.
Currently, Delhi Capitals sit second in the WPL 2025 points table with six points, recently winning against Gujarat Giants. Their upcoming matches include clashes with Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
(Quotes sourced from ABC Asia)
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