Australian team is one of the most respected team in cricketing history. The Kangaroos have stamped their authority over the world cups. The Australian domination has been truly amazing. When one thinks of the most successful Australian captain, who did wonders with his squad, most of the fans come up with the name of Ricky Ponting. However, if one closely looks at statistics and records, it's actually Meg Lanning who surpasses him in most of the ways. And hence the most successful captain of all time in cricket is undoubtedly Meg Lanning.

Just like her sudden decision to retire was surprising, so is her tenure as a captain in which she did wonders, which no other person playing the game has done till now. Boasting a total of 5 world cup titles as a skipper, she is the captain with most number of ICC titles, 1 more than Ponting and 2 more than Dhoni. Furthermore, Australian team under her leadership holds the record of longest winning streak of 26 matches, surpassing Ponting's streak of 21 consecutive wins. And to add to her feather of achievements is her win percentage as a captain, which stands at a staggering 88.46% in ODIs and 76% in T20s.

The Australian team was already one of the giants in Women's cricket, and under Lanning's leadership they became invincible. She took the responsibility of being the captain in 2014, and yielded immediate results, as the team under her leadership won the 2014 T20 World Cup. And since then she successfully led the team in 2014, 2018 and 2023 T20 World Cups to clinch to the title. Additionally she led the team to be world champions in 2022 ODI World cup, and under her captaincy, the Australia won the gold medal in only Commonwealth Games in which women's cricket happened in 2022.

She brought so many laurels to her country during her captaincy stint. 5 ICC titles, and 1 Commonwealth Gold in just a span of 9 years is a staggering achievement, which one might not even think of doing in dreams. But Meg did it in some style. Australian team was at the helm of women's cricket since the time she took the responsibility as a leader. Interestingly enough, she is also the youngest to have ever captained any Australian team, while she aged just 21. It might come to as a surprise for many, but when she was announced as a captain, she was herself surprised for the decision, as she did not think herself to be a leader in any way. The quick transfer of captaincy was termed as "messy transfer of captaincy" by the media. From thinking she is not a leader, to being the best leader in the history of cricket is an amazing tale for the cricket fans.

The legacy she left as a captain is huge, but even better is the legacy she holds as a player. Making her debut in 2010, she is the youngest centurion for Australia. Moreover, she boasts the record of having most number of centuries in ODI, with a tally of 15 in 103 matches she played. It's an extraordinary achievement as many of the players who have played way more matches than her haven't crossed 10 centuries. Her consistency across formats is evident from the fact that she has the lowest number of ducks in T20 internationals. Apart from the 5 ICC titles as a captain, she was a member of 2013 ODI world cup and 2012 T20 world Cup winning teams as a player.

Meg was surprised about her sudden captaincy decision handed to her in 2014, but if anyone asked a kid Meg if she dreams of bringing laurels as a player, she probably would've agreed to it always. Since her young age she was invested in sports. Always sharing a deep affinity for cricket, Meg was also a state level hockey player. Speaking about Lanning, once Glenn Maxwell fondly remembered stating that he was asked to bowl to a girl who was younger than him. And he was pissed off to bowl to a younger kids as he was a state player by then. But when he bowled her, Meg thrashed him as she hit him all over the park. He said he then never questioned Meg Lanning, as well as any young kid who he was asked to bowl to since then. He knew that Meg will be a great sportsperson and she proved him right.

She ruled the game like no other did. One of the finest players and captains of all times she was considered to break all the records, as she was well within the playing age. But in spite of enjoying so much success, she decided to go on an indefinite break from the game citing personal reasons. She said her mental health was affected by the game, and though her decision surprised everyone, many legends of the game lauded her for the bravery to accept the psychological issues the game can bring, and hence wished her a good break and prayed for her comeback. Eventually in January 2023, she did make a comeback, and also went on to win the 2023 T20 world cup. But today, she suddenly announced her retirement from the game, which she took to newer heights.

One of the most successful players of all time, Meg has left a huge mark on international cricket in just 13 years of international cricket she has played the game. She came, she conquered and she left silently at a mere age of 31. She will never be seen in international cricket playing for the team she made invincible. However, she will continue to inspire millions of young girls worldwide to take up the sport. And exactly there lies her success as a human. An amazing player, the greatest leader and a great human being, Meg Lanning retires from international cricket. But as they say, legends never retire. They continue to live in the hearts of the people they inspire. And similarly, she will be eternal. We wish the most successful captain in the history of cricket a very happy retirement. And we pray to God to see her extremely happy in the 2nd innings of her life.