The Sri Lanka Cricket Board has formally announced its roster of 15 players for the approaching Women’s One Day International World Cup 2025, and seasoned all-rounder Chamari Athapaththu is scheduled to guide the group. The competition, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka, will commence on September 30, with the Sri Lankan team beginning their journey against India in Guwahati.
Udeshika Prabodhani and Imesha Dulani make a comeback
One of the primary focal points of the roster unveiling is the return of experienced left-arm pace bowler Udeshika Prabodhani, who has been out of action for approximately a year due to a hamstring injury. She last played for Sri Lanka during the Women’s Twenty20 World Cup in October 2024 and has not participated in a One Day International match since the tour of Ireland in August of the same year. Her return is anticipated to reinforce the fast bowling options, which also include Achini Kulasuriya and Malki Madara.
The finalized list also includes Imesha Dulani, who was previously excluded from the tri-nation series against India and South Africa earlier in the year. The 23-year-old batter has been brought back, taking the spot of 17-year-old Manudi Nanayakkara, and is expected to offer depth in the middle order.
Meanwhile, players such as Nanayakkara, Rashmika Sewwandi, Hansima Karunaratne, and spin bowler Inoshi Fernando were not selected. Despite Inoshi’s exclusion, Sri Lanka has ensured it has a good range of spin options with the experienced trio of Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, and the up-and-coming Dewmi Vihanga.
A balanced batting lineup under Chamari Athapaththu
The main players in Sri Lanka’s batting order remain consistent, with captain Athapaththu taking a leading role. She will receive support from experienced players like Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hasini Perera, Nilakshi de Silva, Vishmi Gunaratne, and Kavisha Dilhari.
Wicketkeeper-batter Anushka Sanjeewani and young batter Piumi Wathsala contribute additional stability to the middle and lower sections of the batting order, providing the team with both consistency and adaptability. With Athapaththu and Dilhari offering versatile all-round capabilities, Sri Lanka seems well-equipped to handle varying conditions throughout the two host countries.
Sri Lanka is set to commence their campaign against India on September 30 in Guwahati, before heading back home for four consecutive matches in Colombo. Following this, their campaign will move to Navi Mumbai for a match against Bangladesh, and then conclude with their final group-stage match against Pakistan back in Colombo.
The team’s management has conveyed their optimism in the combination of seasoned players and emerging talent within the group. With Athapaththu’s dynamic batting style, Prabodhani’s return to spearhead the pace attack, and various spin bowling choices, Sri Lanka’s aim is to challenge higher-ranked teams and leave a lasting impact on this edition of the World Cup.
Sri Lanka Squad for Women’s One Day International World Cup 2025
Chamari Athapaththu (captain), Harshitha Samarawickrama, Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshi de Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Imesha Dulani, Hasini Perera, Achini Kulasuriya, Piumi Wathsala, Dewmi Vihanga, Malki Madara, Udeshika Prabodhani, Sugandika Kumari, Inoka Ranaweera.
This article was initially released on WomenCricket.com, which is a component of Cricket Times.
