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Meg Lanning reveals how India can cope with pressure of home Women's World Cup 2025

Akshita Patel

Meg Lanning decodes India's winning strategy [Source: @BCCIWomen/X.com]Meg Lanning decodes India's winning strategy [Source: @BCCIWomen/X.com]

Former Australia captain Meg Lanning has shared her blueprint for India’s success at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. With the tournament being hosted in India for the fourth time, she believes the team’s opening clash against Sri Lanka on September 30 will be absolutely crucial in setting the tone for the campaign.

India Women will begin their home World Cup campaign against Sri Lanka Women on September 30 at Guwahati. With fans’ backing, the hosts will look to start strong, which will be key to their quest.

Meg Lanning shares winning formula with India Women

Speaking on The ICC Review with Sanjana Ganesan, Meg Lanning, a two-time ICC Women’s World Cup winner, explained that the pressure of a home World Cup can be overwhelming, and the best way for India to ease that burden is to start with a win.

“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."

India has never lifted the Women’s World Cup trophy despite finishing runners-up twice in 2005 and 2017. With the passionate home crowd and high expectations, Lanning pointed out that early momentum could be the key to India finally breaking their title drought.

“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. 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.”

Spinner battle to unfold between India and Sri Lanka

The contest against Sri Lanka is also expected to be a battle of spinners. India’s spin attack is led by Deepti Sharma, currently ranked No. 7 in the ICC ODI bowler rankings, along with Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav and young Sree Charani.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will rely on the experience of Inoka Ranaweera and Chamari Athapaththu, supported by Sugandika Dasanayaka and their emerging all-rounders.

According to Lanning, these spin matchups could be decisive not only in the opener but throughout the tournament.

"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. They play against each other a lot, which sort of adds to the contest. But yeah, there's some really skillful players there.”

Drawing from her own World Cup-winning experience, Lanning added that teams don’t always need to play perfect cricket, especially in the group stages. The real focus should be on collecting enough wins to qualify for the semi-finals.