Sri Lanka’s Women’s Cricket team will make their long-awaited return to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 with none other than Chamari Athapaththu leading from the front. The skipper has already set the tone for the campaign by boldly declaring her belief that Sri Lanka can topple favourites India in the tournament opener on September 30 at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati.
The Sri Lankan women enter the tournament after an eight-year absence but carry momentum from their recent performances. Earlier this year, they hosted a tri-nation series with India and South Africa, recording crucial victories against both teams before losing to India in the final. That confidence, Athapaththu believes, is vital. Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Guwahati, she said: “We’ve been playing really good cricket in the last 12 months against some big teams. My plan is to ensure we play our best cricket in front of everyone. We don’t want to put too much pressure on ourselves. If we execute our plans at the right time, I know we can win this game.”
Sri Lanka’s World Cup journey is made even more special by the fact that they are co-hosts alongside India. Five of their seven group-stage matches will be played at home, at the R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Athapaththu views this as a massive advantage. “We’re playing five games at home, so we know the conditions better than anyone. But we need to play our best cricket and execute our plans to get a good start,” she added.
Preparation for the World Cup has been a mixed bag. Sri Lanka’s first warm-up match against Pakistan was abandoned due to rain, while the second ended in a one-run loss to Bangladesh. Yet, Athapaththu is upbeat, pointing to her team’s balance of youthful energy and experienced leadership. “Our youngsters are doing really well, and our seniors are performing too. We played good cricket in the tri-series, beating South Africa and India once. Our preparation has been solid, and we’re ready to deliver.”
The clash against Harmanpreet Kaur’s India will not only open the World Cup but could also set the tone for the rest of Sri Lanka’s campaign. A strong performance in Guwahati would boost their confidence as they prepare to face defending champions Australia and powerhouse England in Colombo.
With Athapaththu’s fearless leadership, the Sri Lankan women are not just participants in this World Cup; they are challengers ready to disrupt the favourites. The skipper’s message is clear: Sri Lanka has arrived, and they are here to win.
