Meg Lanning has adapted to playing franchise T20 leagues and participating in Australian local championships after she retired from international cricket in 2023.

Meg comes across as a rejuvenated person with a tireless traveling cut, and her immediate task in India is to guide the Delhi Capitals to their first Women’s Premier League (WPL) championship when season three begins on February 14.

Meg scored 358 runs in eight games for Victoria in the 50-over Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL), despite only scoring 158 runs in nine innings during her previous WBBL spell with the Melbourne Stars. She feels this has helped her find a strong batting rhythm in preparation for the 2025 WPL.

“Back in Australia, I’ve been participating in several WNCL games for Victoria. It’s been pleasant, then. Playing matches is crucial, in my opinion. Nothing compares to being in the center and having a solid rhythm with it. In that regard, I believe such games are excellent for me, and I’m playing well.

“Playing and batting here in India is always fun for me. In the past, I’ve had some success. In the few days I’ve been here so far, it’s been good to just acclimate to the surroundings once again and to be very clear about my strategy and how I want to approach it.

In response to an IANS question at the preseason press conference, Meg said, “I feel like I’m in a good spot and excited for the tournament coming up and looking forward to contributing and helping Delhi win some games across the competition.”

She also shared a glimpse of how her life has altered after she retired from the demanding international cricket schedule, saying that she is most excited about the opportunity to teach younger cricket players in the WPL, The Hundred, WBBL, and WNCL.

“Being at home a little bit more and not traveling as much, which I’ve appreciated, is probably a major adjustment for me. That being said, I am quite eager to participate in competitions such as this whenever I get the opportunity to do so.

That is undoubtedly the case in this instance. I’ve learned a lot about what works and what doesn’t from my extensive experience playing international cricket. I now have the chance to work with the younger players and attempt to impart some of the wisdom I’ve learned, both at tournaments like this one and especially back home.

When it comes to handling the demands that come with playing cricket at this level, it comes both on and off the field. I thus make it a point to share some of that information and respond to any queries from the other players on whichever squad I currently play on.

That’s because I believe it’s a crucial component of both learning and teamwork. Since I’m not playing internationally anymore, I can probably devote a little more time to that aspect of it, which I like doing. “Everyone here wants to learn and ask questions, and I really love that about the environment,” she remarked, referring to Delhi.

Meg, who now leads the WPL in runs scored, spoke glowingly on how the competition has influenced Indian cricket players’ development since its launch in 2023. “It has greatly impacted not only players at the international level but also local players here and the growth of the game.”

As Jonathan just said, it has been amazing to see how much our native Indian guys and national players have improved. The way they have improved and developed just by having the WPL provide them the chance to play with both foreign players and their Indian heroes is something I have really loved to see.

She also believes that the WPL has been successful in providing players with a large stage and in offering young females the genuine opportunity to pursue a career in professional cricket. However, I suppose it also gives them some experience to performing on a large stage. You can only grow better at something if you have the chance and experience to do so. So it does supply that, for sure.

The second thing it does is provide young ladies a stage on which to show what they can achieve and the road to play for franchises or their nation. As a young person, I think it’s motivating to see that because it gives you something to strive for that you believe you can do.

I am aware that the WPL is a topic of conversation back home. Players definitely want to participate in this competition. I’m very thrilled to be playing for Delhi once again. I’m always looking forward to it. So far, I’ve had several very delightful and amusing encounters. “I’m glad to be back and excited for the tournament,” Meg said.

Meg will be reunited with India opener Shafali Verma, who was sidelined for the national squad after the ODI series against New Zealand last year, when DC takes against the Mumbai Indians on February 15 in an attempt to win their maiden WPL championship.

Shafali returned to domestic cricket and won the Senior Women’s One-Day Challenger Trophy with 414 runs at an average of 82.80 and a strike rate of 145.26, including a century and three fifties.

“I enjoy batting alongside Shafali.” I usually have the greatest seat in the house, observing from the opposite end of the stage when she puts on a very entertaining performance. She thus performed a very similar action in the practice game a few days earlier. She seems to be having a great time and is in great contact, which is crucial in my opinion.

Therefore, I think it’s incredibly vital for our squad to see her play freely and express herself. I thus always like batting with her. We get along well, and maybe we can build on our performance from the previous two events this season,” Meg said.