Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu views her stint with the Barbados Royals in the 2024 Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) as a valuable opportunity to fine-tune her skills ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup, set to begin on October 3 in the UAE. Athapaththu, who has led Sri Lanka to impressive victories in various international series and tournaments over the past year, believes that playing in diverse conditions and managing pressure in high-stakes matches will bolster her team’s readiness for the upcoming global event.
Preparation and Learnings Ahead of T20 World Cup
Chamari Athapaththu, the Sri Lankan captain, views her stint with the Barbados Royals in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) as a valuable preparation for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE. Highlighting the importance of acclimating to different conditions and managing pressure, Chamari notes how these experiences sharpen her performance in the fast-paced T20 format. “As a team and players, our preparation is really good. We played a few bilateral series and Women’s Asia Cup as well before I came here,” Chamari mentioned, indicating the continuity and rigorous nature of their practice sessions.
The Sri Lankan team has been in top form since mid-2023, having secured victories in bilateral series against formidable teams like Bangladesh, England, South Africa, New Zealand, and the West Indies. Their crowning achievement came with a win against India in the Women’s Asia Cup final. Despite a challenging ODI series against Ireland due to unfamiliar weather conditions, Chamari remains optimistic about the team’s prospects. She credits the positive mindset in their dressing room and the influence of head coach Rumesh Ratnayake as key factors in maintaining their form and confidence.
Yash Dhull Encourages Youngsters: DPL is Key to State Selection
The Caribbean Experience and Franchises
Playing in the Caribbean offers Chamari a refreshing experience due to the vibrant and relaxed atmosphere of the region. She appreciates the unique energy of the WCPL, contrasting it with other T20 leagues worldwide. Chamari feels at ease with the Barbados Royals, embracing the calmness and fun that comes with playing alongside Caribbean players. “The atmosphere and vibe of being here is to enjoy in the middle,” she says, reflecting on the celebratory nature of the Caribbean style of cricket, which adds a distinct charm to her experience.
Chamari also credits Kumar Sangakkara, a Sri Lankan cricket legend and the director of cricket for the Barbados Royals, for the opportunity to play in the WCPL. Chamari’s international T20 experience spans various leagues, including the Women’s Premier League, WBBL, Super Smash, and The Hundred. Her fellow Sri Lankan teammate, Harshitha Samawickrama, also joined the WCPL, representing the Trinbago Knight Riders. Chamari takes pride in the growing presence of Sri Lankan players in global franchise leagues and hopes they will continue to showcase their talent on such platforms.
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram and Instagram
