Certain still photos don’t fade away from the memory bank. The glum-looking Meg Lanning sitting in Delhi Capitals’ dugout as her side lost one wicket after another in the 2025 WPL final against Mumbai Indians would be one of them. Eventually, the Lanning-led DC side hurtled to a gut-wrenching defeat.
Here is a cricketer who was a part of seven successful world championship campaigns while playing for Australia. Five of those triumphs came under leadership. However, despite taking DC to three successive WPL finals, her team has ended up on the losing side on all three occasions. In fact, at the Brabourne stadium, one pondered whether she is the same cricketer who propelled Australia to multiple world titles.
For some reason or the other, on a track that was offering just enough grip and turn, Jess Jonassen, the left-arm spinner, didn’t bowl either the 19th or 20th over. Meanwhile, Shikha Pandey, not exactly known for executing the plans in the slog overs, was entrusted with the responsibility of bowling the final over. The resultant outcome was that the last two overs went for 25 runs and DC slipped to a loss by 8 runs. Logic would say that Jonassen should have completed her quota of overs.
During the course of the tournament, Lanning wasn’t in great form with the bat either, aggregating 276 runs at an average of 34.5 and at a strike rate of a tick over 118. Although she did compile an innings of 92 in the nick of time versus Gujarat Giants, it is fair to say that Lanning was far from her best.
Many moons ago, at the age of just 17, Lanning ended up contributing 129 out of Victoria Second XI’s total of 187 against Queensland second XI, which in turn helped her side to cross the finish line. The next highest contribution to the score was extras with 23. That particular innings didn’t just give an indicator of Lanning’s qualities with the willow in hand, but it also served as evidence to understand her leadership qualities. The ability to soak in the pressure and lead from the front.
It shouldn’t come as a major surprise that Lanning went on to achieve almost everything in cricket. But age catches up with everyone. Due to health issues, Lanning announced her retirement from international cricket in 2023. However, she soldiered on in franchise cricket, partaking for Melbourne Stars and leading the DC set-up. But one more heartbreaking loss in the summit clash makes you wonder whether we have seen the last of Lanning in the WPL.
If this was Lanning’s final WPL game, the lasting image will be of a dejected-looking DC captain wiping her tears after yet another heartbreak. Every story doesn’t have a fairytale ending.
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