When Chamari Athapaththu walks out to lead Sri Lanka on September 30 in Guwahati, it will mark the beginning of a new chapter not just for her, but for a team that has quietly grown stronger with each passing year. Sri Lanka missed the last Women’s World Cup in 2022, but now, back on familiar sub-continental soil, their skipper believes the stars may finally align.
The World Cup returns to India and Sri Lanka, a setting that immediately brings a sense of belonging. Athapaththu’s eyes light up at the thought of it, “The sub-continent conditions are something we are used to, and I feel that will give us a secret advantage,” she said, her voice carrying both pride and anticipation.
This isn’t just about conditions, though. For Athapaththu, the make-up of her side gives her equal confidence, “Combined with the experience of our senior players, we have a strong balance of youth and maturity, and this year’s World Cup is a real chance for us to shine. This tournament is also a chance for us to raise our standards to a new level.”
It’s a squad carefully put together — seniors like Harshitha Samarawickrama and Nilakshi de Silva anchoring the middle order, fresh faces like Dewmi Vihanga eager to announce themselves.
Sri Lanka’s first test will be India in the opening match, a clash Athapaththu knows will set the tone. But there is no arrogance, only quiet determination, “All the teams in this World Cup are here to win so we will not underestimate anyone. We will treat every opponent with equal respect and give our best in every single match, starting with the opener against India in Guwahati on 30 September.”
If Guwahati is the start, Colombo is where the journey will truly come alive. Five of Sri Lanka’s six remaining games will be played there, in front of their own people, “We are excited to be playing some matches in front of our own fans. It’s a huge advantage and a good opportunity for us,” Athapaththu admitted, picturing the stands filled with flags and cheers.
Her reflections soon turned backward to a time when Sri Lanka shocked the world, “Sri Lankan cricket has come a long way since the 1990s and we have taken part in several World Cups since. In my own time, I can confidently say that we’ve grown so much as a team over the years. In 2013, we beat defending champions England as well as India and that was by far the best achievement we had in a World Cup up to that point. I feel we have only gotten better since and that we can compete against any side in the world.” For Athapaththu, that memory isn’t just nostalgia — it’s fuel.
Sri Lanka have announced their 15-member squad for the 2025 Women’s World Cup, led by Chamari Athapaththu with senior names Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshi de Silva, and Anushka Sanjeewani. Veteran Udeshika Prabodhani, 39, returns from injury, while 20-year-old Imesha Dulani is recalled, and 11 players feature in their first World Cup. Since the last cycle, Sri Lanka have won 11 of 31 ODIs, with Athapaththu scoring 1252 runs, Nilakshi 668, and Kavisha Dilhari leading the wickets with 26.
Their 2025 form includes a 2-0 loss in New Zealand and a home tri-series where Samarawickrama scored 203 runs and Dewmi Vihanga claimed 11 wickets. With Prabodhani strengthening the seam attack and a deep spin group, Sri Lanka will begin with warm-ups against Pakistan (Sept 25) and Bangladesh (Sept 27) before opening against India in Guwahati on Sept 30.
Sri Lanka’s Squad for Women’s World Cup 2025:
Chamari Athapaththu (C), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi De Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Imesha Dulani, Dewmi Vihanga, Piumi Wathsala, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Udeshika Prabodani, Malki Madara, Achini Kulasooriya
(Quotes sourced from the ICC)
