The excitement is palpable as the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 is in its second week. Meg Lanning, the epitome of cricketing prowess, needs no introduction in the world of cricket. Her mastery of the game is matched only by her endearing charisma, which she displayed in ample measure during the WPL. The Australian women's captain announced her retirement from international cricket on November 9, after an illustrious career of 13 years with the team. The 31-year-old sensational sportswoman was the captain of the Australian team for nine years and has won seven ICC titles. Lanning is also the captain of the Delhi Capitals in the Women's Premiere League.
Who Is Meg Lanning?
Lanning holds the record for the highest number (five) of ICC titles in the world, across men and women. Mahendra Singh Dhoni has two ICC titles, while Australia's Ricky Ponting has 4. Lanning has also scored the most centuries in women's one-day international centuries and is the first Australian to score 2,000 Twenty20 international runs.
Meghann Moira Lanning was born in Singapore on March 25, 1992, before moving to Sydney. She began playing cricket at the age of ten after being encouraged by her teacher to join the regional team.
Lanning's idols were Ricky Ponting and Paul Kelly. She went on to represent the New South Wales team at the primary school level, which included many of her Australian teammates, including Ellyse Perry.
Lanning moved to Melbourne when she was in high school, and made headlines by becoming the first girl to play First XI cricket for an Associated Public Schools team. She attained a bachelor's degree in Exercise and Health Science from the Australian Catholic University in 2019.
In 2021, Lanning was awarded the Carey Medal in recognition of "exceptional and outstanding service to the wider community."
Lanning's successful career
Meg Lanning won her first ICC trophy at the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2012, which was soon followed by a victory in the 50-over World Cup in India in 2013. She became the captain of the Australian team in 2014 when she was 21 years old. She is the youngest Aussie skipper to achieve captaincy.
Lanning is also the youngest Australian to score an International Century, which she scored when she was 18 years old in 2011.
Lanning holds the record for the most number (26) of consecutive wins, even amongst the country's men's team. She has the highest win percentage of any male or female captain in ODIs. She has led in 78 ODIs and has an 88.46% win percentage. She also boasts the highest win percentage in T20Is, with a 76% win percentage in 100 games.
Fans and colleagues from across the world, including Indian former-captain, Mithali Raj, have flooded social media with tributes and well wishes.
Meg Lanning Shakes A Leg With SRK
During the team rehearsals at the stadium ahead of the first match, the cricketing world witnessed a convergence of glamour and sportsmanship when Shah Rukh Khan, in the midst of preparing for his performance, graced the practicing teams with his charismatic presence and engaged with several cricketers, including Harmanpreet Kaur, the skipper of the Mumbai Indians, Jemimah Rodrigues, vice-captain of the Delhi Capitals, and the illustrious Australian cricketer Meg Lanning, who boasts a remarkable record as a multi-time World Cup-winning skipper.
Lanning, known for her prowess on the cricket pitch, surprised fans when she seamlessly incorporated Shah Rukh Khan's iconic gesture into her celebratory routine throughout the last WPL season.
Among the myriad moments of Khan's presence at WPL 2024, one particular instance stood out: his iconic pose with Meg Lanning, the esteemed former Australian cricketer and captain of the Delhi Capitals. In a heartwarming exchange, Khan graciously imparted his signature pose to Lanning, creating a moment cherished by fans and players alike.
The gesture, originally immortalized by SRK, took on a new life as he shared the spotlight with the accomplished Australian cricketer, creating a visual spectacle that resonated with fans worldwide.
Fans were divided, passionately defending their favourite icon. The question echoed: Who did it better? In a post shared by the Delhi Capitals, the cricket franchise caught the epic moment, leaving fans in awe. The video garnered immense traction, sparking debates across platforms and creating a buzz that extended far beyond the cricketing community. As the debate raged on, fans flooded social media platforms with their opinions. Memes, polls, and analyses flooded timelines, with hashtags like #LanningvsSRK trending globally.
For those unfamiliar with the dynamic between Khan and Lanning, it's worth noting that this wasn't their first rendezvous. Last season, Lanning paid homage to Khan by striking his iconic pose during a performance of the song "Wo Ladki Jo" from the movie "Badshah." This year's exchange, however, elevated their connection to new heights, symbolizing the enduring impact of Khan's influence beyond borders.
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