Former Australian cricket star Meg Lanning reached a significant landmark in the Women's Premier League on Wednesday. She became only the third player in WPL history to score more than one thousand runs. This achievement occurred during UP Warriorz's seventh match of the 2026 season against Delhi Capitals at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
Joining an Elite Batting Group
With this accomplishment, Lanning entered a very exclusive club of batters. Before her, only England's Nat Sciver-Brunt and Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur had managed to cross the 1,000-run threshold in the Women's Premier League. These three players have demonstrated remarkable consistency and substantial impact since the league's inception.
Lanning has now accumulated 1,050 runs in the tournament overall. She currently stands as the second-highest run-scorer in WPL history. Sciver-Brunt leads the list with 1,101 runs, while Harmanpreet Kaur follows closely with 1,016 runs. Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry, with 972 runs, and India's explosive opener Shafali Verma, with 887 runs, round out the top five batters. This list highlights the exceptional batting talent the WPL has cultivated in a relatively short period.
Lanning's WPL Journey and Leadership
The 33-year-old right-handed batter scored the majority of her runs while representing the Delhi Capitals franchise. She captained the team for three consecutive seasons from 2023 through 2025. Under her leadership, Delhi Capitals reached the final in all three editions, finishing as runners-up each time.
Lanning was not just a captain but also a crucial performer with the bat. During the inaugural WPL season in 2023, she scored 345 runs at an impressive strike rate of 139.11. She registered two half-centuries and played a vital role in her team's strong campaign that year.
Her excellent form continued over the next two seasons. She compiled 331 runs in the 2024 season and followed that with 276 runs in 2025. Despite these consistent and valuable contributions, Delhi Capitals made the surprising decision to release her ahead of the WPL 2026 auction.
A New Chapter with UP Warriorz
Following her release, the UP Warriorz franchise picked up Lanning. They also appointed her as their captain for the ongoing 2026 season. This milestone of 1,000 runs marks a significant personal achievement in her new role with a different team.
The Women's Premier League continues to showcase world-class cricket talent. Achievements like Lanning's 1,000-run milestone underscore the league's growing stature and the high level of competition it fosters among international stars.
