The evening of June 9th, 2025 will forever stand out in the annals of Sri Lankan cricket. The 2024 Sri Lanka Cricket Awards, held amidst an atmosphere of jubilation and pride, became a celebration not only of sporting excellence but also of the trailblazing women who continue to redefine the boundaries of the game.
At the heart of this celebration was none other than the indomitable Chamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka’s stalwart skipper, an icon for the next generation, and now, the undisputed queen of the annual awards night.
At 35, Chamari Athapaththu’s cricketing journey reads like a masterclass in perseverance and brilliance. Her incredible run in 2024 was recognised in spectacular fashion as she swept the board, clinching the Best Batter and All-rounder awards in the ODI format. But her dominance didn’t stop there.
Athapaththu left her mark in the shortest format as well, being crowned Best Batter, Best Bowler, and Best All-rounder in T20Is, a testament to her all-encompassing skill set and unrivalled commitment. Capping off a night of personal milestones, she rightfully took home the coveted Women’s Cricketer of the Year award, reaffirming her status as a legend in Sri Lankan cricket.
Yet, the spotlight wasn’t solely Athapaththu’s. The awards night also signalled a changing of the guard, most notably with 24-year-old all-rounder Kavisha Dilhari being named Best Bowler in the ODI format. Dilhari’s emergence underscores the promise of a vibrant new era for Sri Lanka, where youth and experience walk hand in hand, carrying the nation’s cricketing dreams forward.
Sri Lankan Annual Awards 2024:
Chamari Athapaththu
Best ODI Batter and All-rounder, Best T20I Batter, Bowler, and All-rounder, Women’s Cricketer of the Year
ODI Masterclass
Chamari Athapaththu’s exploits in the ODI format during the 2024 season have been nothing short of phenomenal, cementing her legacy as one of Sri Lanka’s all-time greats. In 17 innings, Athapaththu amassed a staggering 873 runs at a blistering strike rate of 111.35 and a jaw-dropping average of 67.15. Her tally included three centuries and three half-centuries, a testament to her ability not just to get starts but to convert them into match-defining scores. She finished this phase as Sri Lanka’s leading run-scorer, a beacon of reliability and aggression at the top of the order.
The defining moment of her ODI campaign came on April 17, 2024, in Potchefstroom against South Africa. Chasing a daunting total, Athapaththu produced a batting masterclass, scoring an unbeaten 195* off 139 balls, an innings of audacious strokeplay and steely composure that guided Sri Lanka to victory with six wickets and 33 balls to spare. Her all-round impact in that match, which earned her the Player of the Match award, encapsulated her immense value to the side.
With the ball, Athapaththu further underlined her all-round credentials, claiming 10 wickets in 13 innings at an average of 38.80 and an economy of 4.98. Her ability to break partnerships and contribute vital overs provided Sri Lanka with crucial balance, making her an indispensable asset in both departments. These numbers not only justify her accolades as the Best Batter and Best All-rounder in ODIs but also highlight her stature as the heartbeat of Sri Lankan women’s cricket.
Blockbuster Show in the T20Is
If Athapaththu’s ODI performances were a study in consistency, her T20I displays were a showcase of explosive power and tactical acumen. Across 37 innings in this phase, she piled up 1,190 runs at a scintillating strike rate of 128.37 and an impressive average of 36.06. Her seven half-centuries and two centuries underscore her ability to adapt and excel in the high-octane world of T20 cricket, consistently providing Sri Lanka with the impetus at the top of the order.
Her crowning achievement in the format came on July 22, 2024, during the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup clash against Malaysia in Dambulla. Athapaththu’s unbeaten 119* off just 69 balls was not only her career-best in T20Is but also a masterclass in controlled aggression, propelling Sri Lanka to a commanding position and earning her yet another Player of the Match accolade. Throughout this phase, she was the leading run-scorer for her side, a testament to her unwavering dominance.
Athapaththu’s prowess wasn’t limited to batting. With the ball, she scalped 29 wickets in 32 innings at an outstanding average of 19.51 and an economy of 6.20, including a memorable four-wicket haul (4-0-29-4) against the West Indies on June 24, 2024, in Hambantota. Finishing as the fourth-highest wicket-taker for Sri Lanka in this period, she proved her mettle as a genuine all-rounder, capable of turning games with both bat and ball.
Such all-encompassing excellence across both formats not only justifies her sweep of the Best Batter, Best Bowler, and Best All-rounder awards in T20Is but also her crowning as the Women’s Cricketer of the Year. Chamari Athapaththu’s 2024 season was a pure stuff of dreams, one that will inspire generations to come.
Kavisha Dilhari –
Best ODI Bowler
In a promising season, especially for the emerging talent and game-changing performances, Kavisha Dilhari’s ascendancy as Sri Lanka’s leading ODI bowler stands out as a beacon of promise for the future of women’s cricket on the island. At just 24, Dilhari delivered a series of consistently incisive spells, finishing as the top wicket-taker for her side with 22 wickets in 14 innings in this phase. Her remarkable average of 21.63 and a tidy economy rate of 5.10 reflect her ability to both attack and contain, making her a captain’s dream in the middle overs.
Dilhari’s knack for rising to the occasion was never more evident than on June 18, 2024, in the second ODI against the West Indies at Hambantota. On a day when her side needed inspiration, she produced her career-best figures of 4 wickets for just 20 runs in 6 overs—a spell that broke the backbone of the opposition and set up a memorable victory for Sri Lanka. Her all-round contributions in that match earned her the Player of the Match award, further underlining her growing stature as a match-winner.
With two four-wicket hauls in the phase and a string of crucial breakthroughs, Dilhari’s impact extended far beyond the numbers. She brought energy, discipline, and a fearless approach to her craft, often turning games with her ability to strike at key moments. Her performances not only justified her selection as the Best ODI Bowler but also signalled the arrival of a new leader in Sri Lanka’s bowling ranks, a player with the temperament and skill to shine on the biggest stages.
Kavisha Dilhari’s influence in the T20I format was pivotal for Sri Lanka throughout the 2024 season. Emerging as her side’s leading wicket-taker, she claimed 35 wickets in 37 innings at an impressive average of 19.60 and an economy of 6.74. Her ability to deliver breakthroughs, highlighted by a crucial four-wicket haul during this phase, provided Sri Lanka with much-needed control and firepower in the shortest format. Dilhari’s consistency and composure under pressure not only anchored the team’s bowling attack but also underscored her growing reputation as a dynamic all-rounder for Sri Lanka.
