Sri Lanka’s journey to secure a spot in the T20 and ODI World Cups remains ongoing, with their captain Chamari Athapaththu already envisioning ambitious aspirations should they qualify. Despite the team’s current status, Athapaththu is determined to lead her side to success on the global stage. Setting high standards, she aims to guide Sri Lanka to formidable performances and potentially clinch victory, showcasing their prowess and resilience against the world’s top cricketing nations.
Chamari Athapaththu’s Vision About World Cup:
Each captain harbors unique aspirations for the World Cup, which stands as the pinnacle of achievement for players. Sri Lanka’s Women’s team captain is no exception, as she too envisions leading her team to glory on the grand stage, aiming to fulfill their collective potential and make a mark in cricketing history.
Chamari Athapaththu expressed, “I want to see my team in the semi-finals of the World Cup,” she said after Sri Lanka ended their tour of South Africa with a six-wicket win in the third ODI. “I’ve worked so hard in the last 15 years and I’ve achieved a few things as a player but as a captain, I want to do more. I want to see my team in the semi-final of this World Cup. That’s my wish.”
Sri Lanka Women Team’s Journey So Far:
Granting Athapaththu the freedom to establish such objectives seems justified, particularly following her spectacular unbeaten 195 against South Africa. This remarkable feat not only secured her the third-highest individual score in women’s ODIs but also propelled Sri Lanka to their highest successful chase in the format. Her exceptional performance underscores both her individual brilliance and the increasing prowess of her national team, signaling promising prospects for their future endeavors.
Over the past year, Sri Lanka’s Women’s team has showcased remarkable performances, securing T20I series victories against Bangladesh, England, and South Africa, alongside reaching the Asian Games final. They also clinched ODI series wins against Bangladesh and New Zealand and notably challenged South Africa, keeping alive their hopes for automatic qualification in the 2025 ODI World Cup, a crucial objective after their absence in 2022.
To achieve this, they must excel against struggling teams like West Indies and Ireland. With players like Nilakshika Silva’s impressive unbeaten 50 against South Africa, Athapaththu is rightfully optimistic about their chances to secure the necessary points for a top-five finish.
Athapaththu on T20 WC:
Before focusing on the ODI World Cup, Sri Lanka’s Women’s team has the T20 version in Bangladesh ahead this year. Their quest to qualify kicks off next week in the UAE, where they are favored in the qualifiers. With a strong record of nine T20I victories in their last 15 matches, they face Thailand, Scotland, Uganda, and USA in the group stage, needing to reach the tournament final to secure a spot in the T20 World Cup.
She said, “I know it is a very big task for us,” Athapaththu said. “Every team is really good and every game is really important for us. We will focus on one game at a time.”
Statement About Her Retirement:
The inclusion of “we” holds significance here. Just ten days ago, Athapaththu dispelled uncertainties regarding her international career following cryptic Facebook posts hinting at an imminent departure. Before the ODI series against South Africa, she affirmed her participation in the T20 World Cup Qualifier but hinted at a potential decision to step away soon. She maintained this stance post-series, indicating a contemplation of her future in the game.
She said, “My retirement is very soon. I can’t mention dates, but very soon. We can talk about these things later. For now, I’m always looking after the young girls. I’ve built a young team. I want to see these young girls in the World Cup one day. As a captain, I am really proud of my young girls and they are playing really good cricket. I sacrificed a lot of things for Sri Lankan cricket in the last 15 years. I am happy to lead this team. I am a really, really proud captain. I hope my girls play really good cricket in future as well. I hope my team can play their best cricket at the T20 World Cup.”
If Sri Lanka qualifies for the Bangladesh tournament and potentially the ODI World Cup in India next year, Athapaththu is likely to continue, but she’s also considering the future. Despite the acclaim she received for her performance in Potchefstroom and the praise from Sri Lankan cricket legends like Mahela Jayawardene and Lasith Malinga, she values teamwork over individual glory. She said, “I want to see another player in Sri Lanka pass my score very soon.”
Athapaththu emphasizes the importance of Sri Lanka’s batters stepping up, especially considering her own career trajectory. Reflecting on her standout innings of 178 not out against Australia in the 2017 ODI World Cup, she acknowledges how such performances can elevate players internationally, underscoring the significance of consistent high-quality performances.
She further said, “I always rate the 178 No. 1 because that 178 changed my cricket career,” she said. “No one knew about me then but after I scored that 178, I got an opportunity to play in franchise cricket and I learnt a lot of things in franchise cricket. Some people think franchise cricket is all about money but I don’t think like that. I learnt a lot of things and I shared my knowledge. I learnt from other players, world-class players, and we shared the same dressing room. So I rate my No. 1 innings as the 178 but this innings was a good innings because we chased 302.”
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