Former Australia captain and two-time ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup winner Meg Lanning believes India’s campaign could rest on how they start against Sri Lanka in their opening game on September 30 in Guwahati. Lanning said the first fixture carries extra importance, especially with India hosting the 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,” she said on the ICC Review. Lanning, who guided Australia to World Cup titles in 2013 and 2022, stressed the importance of early momentum. “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,” she added. India are hosting the Women’s World Cup for the fourth time, after the 1978, 1997 and 2013 editions. While the trophy has eluded them so far, they have reached the final twice, in 2005 and 2017. For Lanning, that history adds to the weight of the opener. “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,” she said. The match could also be shaped by the quality of spin bowling on both sides. India’s attack will be led by ICC No.7-ranked Deepti Sharma, supported by Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav and newcomer Sree Charani. Sri Lanka’s attack is spearheaded by Inoka Ranaweera, with captain Chamari Athapaththu and Sugandika Dasanayaka providing further options, while youngsters Dewmi Vihanga and Kaveesha Dilhari add even more depth. Lanning highlighted the potential of the spinners to influence not just the opener, but the tournament as a whole. “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,” she said. With eight teams battling for four semi-final spots, Lanning also stressed the need to pick up points early. “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,” she explained.Looking back at her own experience, Lanning concluded that winning ugly can still lead to titles. “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.
Poll
What will be the key factor in India’s success against Sri Lanka?
India face Sri Lanka on September 30 in Guwahati.
