Vishmi Gunaratne, one of Sri Lanka's most dynamic top-order batters, says the defending champions have deliberately set aside the memories of their 2024 Women's Asia Cup triumph as they gear up for the continental tournament beginning in Dubai on 29 August 2026. Sri Lanka, who stunned India in a historic final in Dambulla two years ago, enter this edition in Group B alongside Bangladesh, hosts UAE, and debutants Indonesia.

Gunaratne's Journey: From Prodigy to Established Batter

Now a seasoned presence in Sri Lanka's batting order with 37 ODIs and 59 T20Is to her name, Gunaratne entered international cricket as a teenager — a transition she describes as a rapid education. 'I started playing international cricket at a young age, and that has taught me patience and adaptability. It has forced me to grow quickly, learn the game, and adjust to situations,' she said in a conversation facilitated by Sony Sports Network.

That early exposure, she argues, compressed years of learning into a short span — not just as a cricketer but as a person navigating high-pressure environments against the world's best teams.

Resetting After the 2024 Title

Sri Lanka's 2024 victory in front of their home crowd in Dambulla was, by Gunaratne's own admission, 'a dream.' Yet the squad has been deliberate about not letting that milestone become a psychological anchor. 'Winning in 2024 was a dream, but going into this tournament, we try to keep that aside. Our preparation has been very good, and we are going to stick to the things that we prepared well for the tournament,' she said.

She also acknowledged the broader ripple effect of that triumph: women's cricket participation in Sri Lanka received a measurable grassroots boost, and a second title in Dubai would amplify that momentum further.

Pakistan ODI Century: A Confidence Milestone

Gunaratne's form heading into the tournament carries a significant recent marker. Her knock of 123 in the second ODI against Pakistan in Hambantota in July 2026 — part of the third-highest successful chase in Women's ODI history — has, by her own account, reshaped her self-belief at the crease. 'The century in that ODI against Pakistan gave me a lot of confidence and ability in my game. That gave me a belief that I can contribute to my team in a long innings and handle the pressure and situation well,' she said.

That innings came after a difficult T20 World Cup earlier in the year, making it a timely reset for a batter of her calibre.

A New Role and the Athapaththu Influence

Much of Gunaratne's formative development came while opening alongside Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, whom she credits as a guiding influence. 'Opening the batting with her was a kind of dream for a young player like me, and she taught me many things when opening with her. She always tells me to read the game and handle the situation well,' said Gunaratne.

Notably, Gunaratne — who captained Sri Lanka in the 2023 ICC U19 Women's T20 World Cup — is now adapting to a middle-order role, batting at three or four, to meet the team's tactical requirements. 'I used to play as an opener, and now I am given another role in this game by the team. So I am working hard on it, and our top order is in good form,' she said.

Dubai Preparations and Team Depth

Sri Lanka's pre-tournament preparations in Dubai included batting practice under lights against local men's bowlers — a deliberate attempt to simulate match conditions. 'The conditions in Dubai would be a little bit similar to Sri Lanka, and we already worked on our three departments while preparing for it. We also worked on our batting under lights with our Sri Lankan boys, and I think we are well prepared for the tournament,' Gunaratne said.

She pointed to the squad's improved collective depth over the last three years as the defining strength heading into the title defence, with multiple players contributing meaningfully across formats. The DP World Women's Asia Cup 2026 continues with Sri Lanka's group-stage fixtures in the days ahead.