Sri Lanka recall Gunarathne, Gimhani, Kavindi for Women's T20 WC
Synopsis
Sri Lanka have made bold selection calls ahead of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England — recalling three players while dropping 91-cap spinner Inoka Ranaweera, who went wicketless in the Bangladesh T20Is. With seven players set for their World Cup debut and Chamari Athapaththu appearing in her tenth edition, this is a squad in transition, banking on a blend of experience and fresh energy.
Key Takeaways
Sri Lanka recalled Vishmi Gunarathne , Shashini Gimhani , and Kawya Kavindi for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2025 .
Veteran left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera ( 91 T20Is ) has been excluded, along with Rashmika Sewwandi and Dewmi Vihanga .
Seven players — including Imesha Dulani, Hansima Karunarathne, and Mithali Ayodhya — will make their World Cup debut .
Captain Chamari Athapaththu appears in her tenth Women's T20 World Cup edition.
Sri Lanka open against England at Edgbaston on 12 June ; the tournament runs until 5 July in England.
The squad departs for England on 3 June 2025 .
Sri Lanka have recalled top-order batter Vishmi Gunarathne, wrist spinner Shashini Gimhani, and seamer Kawya Kavindi to their 15-member squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2025, to be held in England from 12 June to 5 July. The selections mark a significant reshuffle from the side that toured Bangladesh in April–May, with experienced left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera among the notable omissions.
Key Changes from the Bangladesh Tour Squad
Ranaweera, who has accumulated 91 T20 International caps, did not feature in any of the three T20Is against Bangladesh — a series Sri Lanka won 3-0. Despite bowling tidy spells in the series against the West Indies in March, she has been left out of the World Cup group. Rashmika Sewwandi and Dewmi Vihanga have also been excluded from the squad for the 12-team tournament.
Gunarathne, who has played 54 T20Is, has struggled for consistent form since the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup. The team management will be hoping that she, alongside Gimhani and Kavindi, rediscovers peak form on the English circuit.
Fresh Faces at the World Cup
As many as seven players — Imesha Dulani, Hansima Karunarathne, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sugandika Dassanayaka, Nimasha Madushani, Malki Madara, and Mithali Ayodhya — are set to make their maiden appearance at a Women's T20 World Cup. This influx of new talent underlines a generational transition within Sri Lankan women's cricket, even as the side leans on experienced heads at the top.
Chamari Athapaththu Leads the Charge
Sri Lanka will be captained by veteran batting all-rounder Chamari Athapaththu, who has featured in all nine previous editions of the tournament — a record of continuity that makes her the cornerstone of the campaign. Her leadership and batting form will be central to how far Sri Lanka progress in the competition.
Group 2 Fixtures and Departure
Sri Lanka have been drawn in Group 2 and open their campaign against hosts and 2009 champions England at Edgbaston on 12 June. Subsequent group fixtures are against New Zealand in Southampton, West Indies and Ireland in Bristol, before concluding against Scotland at Old Trafford, Manchester, on 26 June. The squad is scheduled to depart for England on 3 June.
Full Squad: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Imesha Dulani, Nilakshika Silva, Kaveesha Dilhari, Hansima Karunarathne, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sugandika Dassanayaka, Nimasha Madushani, Shashini Gimhani, Kawya Kavindi, Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhya.
Point of View
Not just a rotation. With seven debutants in a 15-member squad, Sri Lanka are essentially road-testing a new core at the biggest stage. The risk is real: England's conditions will test inexperienced players in ways that home series cannot. Whether Chamari Athapaththu's leadership can compensate for that collective inexperience will define how far this squad goes beyond the group stage.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been recalled to Sri Lanka's Women's T20 World Cup 2025 squad?
Sri Lanka have recalled batter Vishmi Gunarathne, wrist spinner Shashini Gimhani, and seamer Kawya Kavindi for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2025 in England. All three were not part of the squad that toured Bangladesh in April–May.
Why was Inoka Ranaweera left out of Sri Lanka's World Cup squad?
Inoka Ranaweera, who has played 91 T20 Internationals, did not get a game during Sri Lanka's 3-0 T20I series win over Bangladesh and has been dropped for the World Cup. She had bowled well in the West Indies series in March, but the selectors appear to have moved on from the experienced left-arm spinner.
Where and when is the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2025 being held?
The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2025 is being held in England from 12 June to 5 July 2025. It features 12 teams, with matches across venues including Edgbaston, Southampton, Bristol, and Old Trafford, Manchester.
Who captains Sri Lanka at the Women's T20 World Cup 2025?
Chamari Athapaththu captains Sri Lanka. A veteran batting all-rounder, she is appearing in her tenth Women's T20 World Cup edition, having featured in all nine previous tournaments.
Which teams are in Sri Lanka's group at the Women's T20 World Cup 2025?
Sri Lanka are in Group 2 alongside England, New Zealand, West Indies, Ireland, and Scotland. They open against hosts England at Edgbaston on 12 June and conclude group play against Scotland at Old Trafford on 26 June.
