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The 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup is set to begin in India on September 30, and excitement across the nation is reaching fever pitch. For Harmanpreet Kaur and her Indian team, this tournament represents more than just a shot at the trophy – it’s a golden opportunity to script history on home soil.
While the challenge of playing in front of expectant home fans can be daunting, former Australian captain Meg Lanning, who led her side to glory in the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup at home, offers invaluable lessons on handling the pressures and perks of such a stage.
Meg Lanning opens up on the weight of expectations in a home World Cup
Lanning, one of the most successful captains in women’s cricket, knows what it means to compete under the spotlight of a cricket-crazy nation. Reflecting on Australia’s 2020 campaign, she admitted that no amount of planning can truly prepare a team for the mental toll of a home World Cup. Her side learned this the hard way when they suffered a shock defeat to India in the opening match, sparking nationwide concerns.
For India in 2025, the parallels are striking. With millions of fans watching every move and media scrutiny at its peak, the mental strength of Harmanpreet’s squad will be tested. The Indian team must be ready for moments when pressure threatens to overshadow performance.
“There’s definitely a lot of added pressure at a home World Cup. You just get more media, there’s more scrutiny, and there’s very high expectations. So it’s an added layer to everything. You can think about and plan as much as you want, but until you’re actually in it – and especially if things don’t go well – that’s when there’s another added bit,” said Lanning while talking to ICC.
What made Lanning’s Australia stand out in 2020 was their ability to bounce back after that early setback. They regrouped, held their nerve, and ultimately crushed South Africa in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in front of a record-breaking 86,174 spectators. Lanning credits this turnaround to composure and process-driven cricket.
For India, this resilience will be crucial. With stars like Smriti Mandhana, and Deepti Sharma in the squad, the firepower is undeniable. But the bigger challenge will be to use the crowd’s energy as motivation rather than letting it fuel anxiety. As Lanning advises, the key is to ‘find a way to get through it’ without letting the occasion overwhelm the team.
“We certainly had that in our home T20 World Cup in the first couple of group games. We didn’t get off to a good start, and we were under pressure pretty quickly. It’s certainly different and something that the home teams in India will face this time around in terms of just an added layer of pressure,” added Lanning.
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Lanning spill beans on the double-edged sword of home advantage
While the pressure is real, Lanning also emphasized the undeniable positives of hosting a World Cup. Familiar pitches, roaring fans, and the comfort of home conditions can provide a massive boost. In 2020, Australia thrived on the support of their fans, and India now has the chance to experience the same at iconic venues like the Wankhede Stadium and Eden Gardens.
However, the home advantage is a delicate balance. The same fans who lift you up can also intensify the spotlight if things go wrong. Many Indian players are already familiar with this dynamic thanks to the Women’s Premier League, but maintaining focus amid overwhelming support will be key to success.
“World Cups carry their own unique pressure, but there are positives to it as well. You get your home crowd every game. You get your family and friends there. You are in your home comforts. So there are certainly some pros to it, but in terms of the added pressure, that’s something that you can’t really prepare for,” explained Lanning.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
