Lanning predicts teams to beat at Women’s World Cup 2025

Australia great Meg Lanning has revealed the teams she believes that have the most chance of winning the upcoming ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025.

Australia, who will start as the defending champions, know more than a thing or two about winning trophies, having won seven women's ODI World Cups.

While Meg Lanning admitted she would love to see Australia lift the trophy again, the former skipper also pointed out that hosts India could prove to be one of the strongest contenders in the upcoming edition.

“I know Australia has dominated a lot of it, but it's certainly not a foregone conclusion,” Lanning said, speaking to ICC Digital.

“I'd still love Australia to win obviously, but I think India are the main competitors.

“I think India are a significant challenge to everybody.

“Talent-wise, they're as good as anyone and I think they are really starting to understand how to win, which probably has been something for them to work on and I think they're doing that really nicely.”

Lanning had led Australia in the 2017 World Cup semi-final, where they fell short against a spirited India, who themselves went on to narrowly miss their maiden title in the final against England at Lord’s.

With five World Cup triumphs as captain – four at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup and the 2022 ODI crown – few understand better than Lanning what it takes to lead from the front and navigate the high-pressure moments in big tournaments.

“They (India) are well led by Harmanpreet Kaur and there are really good players who have got some good experience now. So I expect them to do well,” Lanning added.

“And if they put it together and play well, I don't think anyone can actually get close to them. They are very good."

Apart from the hosts, Lanning also felt there were other teams that could pull up their socks during the marquee tournament and spring a surprise.

“So you've got England, who are always strong," Lanning noted.

“South Africa … who have done pretty well at recent World Cups, they seem to be able to get it together when it's important.

“And then, you can never write off New Zealand too. They showed in that T20 World Cup (2024) recently that if you time your run really nicely, then you never know what can happen.

“So that's the beauty of the game - there's some really good competitive sides out there.”

Defending champions Australia will begin their 2025 World Cup campaign against neighbours New Zealand on October 1 in Indore, while the hosts will take on Sri Lanka in the opening match on September 30 in Guwahati.