Meg Lanning has had a mixed season so far in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. The Australian skipper, now leading the Delhi Capitals, experienced a rocky start with a string of low scores. However, as her form has improved, the Capitals have also found their winning rhythm.
Lanning’s crucial knock of 60 off 49 balls against Mumbai Indians was a turning point, as her steady partnership with Shafali Verma guided the Capitals to their fourth victory of the season. Opting to bowl first, Delhi restricted Mumbai to a modest total of 123/9 in 20 overs, with Jess Jonassen and Minnu Mani picking up three wickets each. In response, Lanning and Verma’s match-winning partnership anchored the chase with ease, securing a convincing win for the Capitals.
Lanning’s performance drew high praise from Mithali Raj, who remarked, “A big player always steps up in crucial matches, and today, as both captain and player, Meg Lanning did just that. She understood the significance of this game for Delhi Capitals and played accordingly. The way she executed her shots, especially that exquisite straight drive and on-drive, showcased her class,” on Jio Hotstar.
Mithali further emphasized Lanning’s influence on Shafali Verma’s game, highlighting how Lanning’s form positively impacts her young teammate’s confidence and performance. She said, “She is slowly getting back into form, which is a huge positive for Delhi Capitals. This also allows Shafali Verma to play with more freedom, knowing her captain is anchoring the innings. Having a leader like Meg Lanning in the middle instills immense confidence in the dugout.
“Over time, she and Shafali have built an understanding of each other’s strengths, which helps them construct their partnerships effectively. At one point, when Shabnim Ismail came in for her fourth over, we saw Meg walk up to Shafali and advise her against playing any rash shots, emphasising that this was the last over to navigate carefully. That level of leadership is invaluable.”
Lanning and Verma’s record-breaking opening partnerships have been a cornerstone of the Capitals’ success. Mithali elaborated on the importance of their synergy and its impact on the team, sharing, “Every time Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma put together a 50-plus partnership, the team’s chances of winning increases significantly.
“The winning percentage for Delhi Capitals rises with their contributions. Today, while chasing a target of 124, we saw Shafali Verma take a slightly more measured approach initially, which is unlike her usual attacking style. There was a lot of discussion between her and Meg Lanning, especially while facing Shabnim Ismail. However, once she found her rhythm, and Meg Lanning joined in, it was a delight to watch them score from both ends. It was a very convincing win for Delhi Capitals.”
Mithali also shed light on the Capitals’ reliance on the Lanning-Verma duo, “As batters, they complement each other perfectly, and this highlights how heavily the team relies on them to provide a solid start.
“Over all three seasons, whenever they haven’t been able to build a partnership, Delhi Capitals have struggled, exposing the middle order. However, whenever they have managed to stitch together a partnership, we’ve rarely seen the middle order in action, which speaks volumes about their impact on the team’s success.”
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