Dubai, Sep 25 (NationPress) Meg Lanning, a two-time ICC Women's Cricket World Cup champion, underscored the importance of India commencing their journey with a victory against Sri Lanka in the tournament opener on September 30. She believes that a win in this initial match could set a positive tone for their entire campaign.

The former captain of Australia elaborated on the unique challenges associated with hosting a World Cup at home, highlighting how India’s opening clash with Sri Lanka could influence their overall performance.

“This game is vital for them as it can help alleviate some pressure. If they perform well and secure a victory right from the start, it may help them relax a bit. Hosting a World Cup brings immense pressure and expectations for them to excel,” Lanning remarked during an interview on ICC Review.

This marks the fourth occasion that India has hosted this prestigious ICC event, following previous tournaments in 1978, 1997, and 2013. While India has not yet clinched a Women’s World Cup title, they have finished as runners-up on two occasions, in 2005 and 2017.

“The first match of a World Cup, especially when it’s on home soil, is a significant and memorable event. The anticipation is enormous, and both teams will aim to start strongly,” Lanning continued.

Lanning also pointed out the potential impact of the spin bowling duel between the two teams as a key factor in the opening match.

India has a diverse and talented spin bowling lineup, led by Deepti Sharma, who is currently ranked No. 7 among ODI bowlers. She is supported by Sneh Rana, Radha Yadav, and newcomer Sree Charani.

On the other hand, Sri Lanka will rely on Inoka Ranaweera to spearhead their spin attack, with captain Chamari Athapaththu contributing her off-spin. Additionally, they have Sugandika Dasanayaka providing left-arm orthodox spin, bolstered by all-rounders Dewmi Vihanga and Kaveesha Dilhari.

“Both teams feature highly skilled bowlers in their spin departments, which could be pivotal not just in this opening match but throughout the tournament. They frequently compete against each other, adding to the intensity of the contest. There are some remarkably talented players in both squads,” Lanning noted.

For all eight participating teams, maintaining early momentum in the tournament is essential for securing points and climbing the standings. The top four teams will advance to the semi-finals, and every side will strive to stay within the upper tier.

Lanning emphasized the significance of accumulating early points, stating, “During the group stages of World Cups, the goal is simply to qualify for the semi-finals. You don’t always need to play your best cricket, but you must secure victories. The challenge for teams is to fight their way through.”

The 33-year-old has celebrated World Cup victories with Australia in 2013 and 2022, leading the team in the latter. Drawing from her own experiences in those tournaments, Lanning stressed that not every win needs to be ‘pretty’—timely victories are what matter most.

“In every World Cup I’ve participated in, there were games where we had to battle hard to secure wins. They weren’t always pretty, but accumulating those wins is essential for positioning yourself favorably as the tournament progresses,” she concluded.