Women’s Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka have announced their squad for the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, scheduled from the 3rd to the 20th of October 2024, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), making just one change to their title-winning squad.
The Chamari Athapaththu-led 15-player squad sees the return of Inoka Ranaweera for the World Cup after being absent from the T20I side since May 2024. Her inclusion strengthens Sri Lanka’s spin attack, which already features Kavisha Dilhari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Sugandika Kumari, and Chamari Athapaththu.
Sri Lanka’s squad for 2024 T20 World Cup:
Chamari Athapaththu (C), Anushka Sanjeewani, Harshitha Madhavi, Nilakshika de Silva, Inoka Ranaweera, Hasini Perera, Kavisha Dilhari, Sachini Nisansala, Vishmi Gunaratne, Udeshika Prabodhani, Achini Kulasuriya, Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Shashini Gimhani, Ama Kanchana
Travelling reserve: Kaushini Nuthyangana
21-year-old pacer Kawya Kavindi made way for Inoka’s inclusion, narrowing Sri Lanka’s pace options to just Udeshika Prabodhani, Ama Kanchana, and Achini Kulasuriya. Notably, Kawya played only five T20Is this year and took as many wickets, while Achini, who featured in 10 games, managed just 4 wickets, yet retained her spot.
Nonetheless, with the UAE conditions likely favoring spinners and Sri Lanka bolstering its spin arsenal, the swap of a pacer for a spinner shouldn’t harm their prospects. Notably, the spin trio of Kavisha, Inoshi, and Chamari have been Sri Lanka’s top wicket-takers this year, claiming 19, 17, and 15 wickets, respectively, while pacer Udeshika follows with 13 wickets.
Among batters who have scored over 200 runs this year, Kavisha boasts the second-best strike rate of 122.75, and her all-round abilities will be crucial for Sri Lanka’s success in the tournament. Although not at their very best of late, all-rounder Hasini Perera and keeper-batter Anushka Sanjeewani can be relied upon for valuable contributions and to support the firing top order.
Sri Lanka’s leading run-scorer in international cricket, Chamari Athapaththu, has once again topped the scoring charts this year with 595 runs. Harshitha Samarawickrama and Vishmi Gunaratne have also made significant strides, each registering T20I best scores of 86* and 73*, respectively, while closely following Chamari on the runs tally, with 430 and 373 runs, respectively.
With experience and momentum on their side—having won 13 out of 16 T20Is this year—Sri Lanka will be aiming for their best-ever finish at the T20 World Cup, targeting a spot in the semi-finals to cap off a period marked by historic achievements since 2023. Placed in Group A, Sri Lanka will compete against Australia, India, Pakistan, and New Zealand in the league stage at the World Cup.
