Meg Lanning hails Australia's character after fifth T20 World Cup triumph

The hosts survived an opening round defeat, a group stage wobble and a tournament-ending injury to Ellyse Perry but came through to beat India at the MCG with an epic display

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Australia captain Meg Lanning has praised the mental fortitude shown by the squad throughout their run to a fifth T20 World Cup success.

The hosts and reigning champions saved their best performance of the competition until last, overwhelming India by 85 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Despite having been billed as pre-tournament favourites, Australia had to overcome defeat in their opening game, an uneven group campaign, injury to star turn Ellyse Perry and a nervy semi-final with South Africa before taking their place in the showcase final.

India had enjoyed a relatively serene route to their maiden final and were even refreshed heading into the game having seen their semi-final with England abandoned without a ball being bowled.

But come the clash at the MCG, Australia's class told as they smashed 184 for 4 from their 20 overs before bowling the Indians out for a mere 99 to secure a handsome victory.

"I'm just really proud of this group of players and staff," she said at the post-match presentation. "We've had everything thrown at us throughout this tournament, we've had ups and downs, we've scraped through the semi-finals and to put in our best performance out on the park on the biggest day of our careers is certainly something I'm very proud of.

"It was tough, especially after we lost that first game (to India by 17 runs in Sydney). There was a lot of expectation on us from the outside and from the inside as well, we came into this tournament to win, there's no doubt about that.

"As soon as there were 90,000 people expected at the 'G, we wanted to be there. Just to get here was a significant achievement. It's been massive, 86,000 people at the MCG, I've never seen it before and didn't think I'd be part of it in the middle."