Did Sri Lanka Play Their Best Cricket? Athapaththu Speaks Out
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Synopsis
Sri Lanka's captain, Chamari Athapaththu, reflected on her team's performance in the recent T20I series against India, noting they fell short of their best. She expressed hope for improvement ahead of the Women's T20I World Cup in England. The team's young talent shows promise, but senior players must elevate their game.
Key Takeaways
- Chamari Athapaththu acknowledges the team's subpar performance.
- The team lost by 15 runs in the fifth T20I.
- Need for senior players to improve ahead of the World Cup.
- Hasini Perera and Imesha Dulani were key contributors.
- India Women achieved a historic 5-0 series win.
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 30 (NationPress) Sri Lanka's captain Chamari Athapaththu expressed her disappointment, stating they did not showcase their "best cricket" during the series against India, which contributed to their defeat in the fifth T20I by 15 runs in Thiruvananthapuram.
This loss resulted in India Women achieving a remarkable third 5–0 clean sweep in a bilateral T20I series, following previous successes against the West Indies in 2019 and Bangladesh in 2024.
Despite the setback, Athapaththu remains optimistic about her young squad's future potential.
"Honestly, we did not play our best cricket in this tournament. Power hitting and batting were particularly lacking. Nonetheless, there were some positives as we are fielding a young team. I am hopeful for our improvement ahead," Athapaththu stated.
She emphasized the need for senior players, herself included, to step up their game as they prepare for the Women's T20I World Cup set to take place in England.
"Some senior players are performing well, but not all of us are at our best. We must enhance certain aspects before the World Cup. We often discuss the positive elements in the dressing room. Six to seven months ago, we were playing well. Our coach is excellent, motivating us to reach our full potential," she added.
In their chase of 176 runs on a dry pitch, Sri Lanka faced an early setback with the skipper's dismissal. However, Hasini Perera (65) and Imesha Dulani (50) built a solid partnership, contributing 79 runs for the second wicket.
"Some batters executed the plans well in the middle, and we put up a good fight against India. A special thanks to the BCCI and the people of India for their hospitality," Athapaththu remarked.
Arundhati Reddy disrupted Sri Lanka's chase by dismissing the dangerous Athapaththu in the second over, with the skipper managing only two runs. Despite this early loss, Sri Lanka gained momentum through the strong partnership between Perera and Dulani, which added significant value.
Dulani's performance marked her first T20I fifty, but she was eventually stumped by Amanjot Kaur in the 12th over after scoring 50 runs off 39 balls.
After the pair of fifties, the middle and lower order faltered, with only Rashmika Sewwandi reaching double figures, finishing with an unbeaten score of 14 runs off eight balls.
Point of View
I believe the reflections of Chamari Athapaththu highlight the need for introspection within the Sri Lankan team. The upcoming Women's T20I World Cup poses a significant challenge, and the team's ability to learn from past performances will be crucial. With a blend of youth and experience, there's room for optimism, but improvement is essential.
NationPress
31/12/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Chamari Athapaththu say about the team's performance?
She stated that they did not play their best cricket during the tournament, particularly in power hitting and batting.
What was the result of the fifth T20I against India?
Sri Lanka lost the match by 15 runs.
What are the future challenges for Sri Lanka's women's cricket team?
They need to improve their performance ahead of the Women's T20I World Cup in England.
Who were the standout players in the match?
Hasini Perera scored 65 runs, and Imesha Dulani contributed 50 runs.
What is the significance of the clean sweep by India?
It marks India's third 5-0 victory in a bilateral T20I series.
