In an illustrious career that has seen her rise to the pinnacle of international women’s cricket, Chamari Athapaththu, the captain of the Sri Lanka women’s cricket team, has once again captured the spotlight. Following an exceptional performance where she scored an unbeaten 195 runs in the third ODI against South Africa in Potchefstroom, Athapaththu has propelled her team to level the ICC Women’s Championship Series 1-1. This innings, the highest score in a successful chase in Women’s ODIs, enabled her to surpass England’s Natalie Sciver-Brunt and reclaim the top spot in the ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings.
Athapaththu’s journey has been marked by significant milestones, including scoring over 3,513 runs across 101 ODIs at an average of 36.59, with nine centuries and sixteen fifties to her name. Known for her aggressive batting, she holds the record for the most boundaries (449) and sixes (54) by a Sri Lankan in the women’s game.
Despite these achievements, Athapaththu is contemplating retirement, although she has not set a definitive date. Presently in Dubai for the T-20 World Cup qualifying tournaments, her focus remains steadfast on leading her team to success and hopefully ending her career on a high note at the upcoming T-20 World Cup in Bangladesh this September.
Athapaththu’s commitment to cricket is mirrored by the support she receives from her coaching staff, led by Rumesh Ratnayake and assistant coach Tharindu Perera, and the backing of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC). However, she also owes a sense of deep gratitude to her former SLC Womens’ Head Coach Hashan Thilakaratne who spent many years to uplift the SLC Womens Team prior to handing over the reins to Rumesh Ratnayake on a platter to take them forward.
Her prowess has not only made her a national icon but also a revered figure internationally, having been named the best player of the Women’s Big Bash League in Australia due to her stellar performances.
In the latest ICC T-20 batting rankings, Athapaththu holds the seventh position, while her teammate Harshitha Samarawickrama is ranked 18th. The series against South Africa also saw other players like Nilakshi de Silva and new talents making significant strides in the rankings, showcasing the depth of talent in Sri Lankan women’s cricket.
As Chamari Athapaththu reflects on her future, her legacy as one of Sri Lanka’s most successful international batters remains undeniable. Her potential retirement looms as a poignant moment for Sri Lankan cricket, signaling the end of an era for a player who has been a beacon of excellence and an inspiration to many across the globe.
