Ahead Of WPL 2025, Delhi Capitals Skipper Meg Lanning Wants Shafali Varma To Play Freely

Delhi Capitals' skipper Meg Lanning on Tuesday hoped explosive India opener Shafali Varma will carry her recent rich vein of form in domestic cricket into the third season of the Women's Premier League starting on Friday. Shafali, who was dropped from the Indian team for the away tour to Australia in November 2024, made excellent outings for Haryana in domestic matches recently to signal her return to run-making ways. “She looks like she's in really good touch and enjoying herself and having fun too, which I think is really important. For me, just watching her play with freedom, express herself, (and) when she does that, that plays a really important role for our team,” Lanning said during the pre-tournament press meet of the Capitals.

Shafali was the top run-getter in the Senior Women's One Day Trophy, scoring 527 runs at an average of 75.29 while in the Senior Women's One Day Challenger Trophy the right-hander made 414 runs at an average of 82.80.

On both the occasions, she made runs at a strike-rate close to 150.

“She did a very similar thing a few days ago in our practice game. She often puts on a very entertaining show and I've got the best seat in the house. I always enjoy batting with her. We get on really well and hopefully this season can continue on from where we have been the first two,” Lanning added.

Like her opening partner, Lanning also coming to the WPL 2025 without any substantial match-time experience having retired from international cricket last year.

So, how has she managed to keep in touch with the game? “I've been playing some games for Victoria in the WNCL (Women's National Cricket League). I think playing matches is important.

There's nothing quite like being out in the middle and being in a good