new delhi, Sept 25
Two-time ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup winner Meg Lanning has underlined the importance of India making a winning start to their home campaign later this month.
Speaking on The ICC Review, the former Australia captain reflected on the pressures of a home World Cup and why India’s opening clash against Sri Lanka on September 30 could shape their tournament. “I think it’s a crucial game for them because it can almost release the pressure a little bit. If they can play a good solid game up front, get the win on the board, then I think that might just calm them down a little bit. Because yeah, home World Cups, there’ll be obviously a lot of pressure and expectation on them to do well,” Lanning said.
“So if they’re able to set up their tournament really nicely by putting in a solid performance up front, then it makes it easier towards the back end.”
India will be hosting the tournament for the fourth time after 1978, 1997 and 2013. Despite finishing runners-up twice (2005 and 2017), they are still in pursuit of their maiden Women’s World Cup title.
Lanning noted that the first fixture would be an occasion of immense significance. “The first game of the World Cup and your home World Cup as well for India is always a really big and special moment. There’s a really big build up so both sides will be looking to get off to a good start.”
The battle of spin, according to Lanning, could prove decisive in the opener. India have a wealth of options in Deepti Sharma, the world’s No. 7-ranked ODI bowler, alongside Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav and newcomer Sree Charani.
Sri Lanka will rely on veteran left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera, supported by captain Chamari Athapaththu’s off-spin and left-arm orthodox bowler Sugandika Dasanayaka. Young all-rounders Dewmi Vihanga and Kaveesha Dilhari add further depth.
“Both sides have got some very skillful bowlers in their spin attacks and that could play a really crucial role, not only in the first game but also throughout the tournament,” Lanning said.
“They play against each other a lot, which sort of adds to the contest. But yeah, there’s some really skillful players there.”
With eight teams vying for four semi-final berths, the 33-year-old stressed the importance of collecting early points, even if performances aren’t flawless.
“The group stages at World Cups are just about qualifying for the semis and so you don’t need to play your best cricket but you do need to win. So the key for the sides is to just be able to fight their way through.”
Drawing from her own experiences of lifting the trophy in 2013 and 2022, Lanning said World Cups aren’t always about dominance but about timing wins.
“I think in every World Cup that I’ve played there was a game or two where we had to scrape our way through and get the win. It certainly wasn’t pretty but if you can actually just get those wins on board and then sort of try and get yourself together for the back end of the tournament, then that’s how you win 50-over World Cups,” she said.
