Chamari Athapaththu, the esteemed captain of Sri Lanka, has passionately expressed her desire for an Asian team to finally lift the Women`s World Cup trophy in 2025. This coveted title has historically evaded nations from the Asian continent since the tournament`s inception. To date, only three countries have ever claimed victory: Australia with an unparalleled seven titles, England with four, and New Zealand with one. India notably reached the final on two separate occasions but ultimately finished as runners-up, losing to Australia and England respectively.
“As an Asian, I would genuinely love to witness an Asian team hoist this trophy – it could be Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh. Playing in Asia feels incredibly special to us; it`s a true privilege to compete on home soil. I sincerely hope an Asian team secures the trophy this year,” Athapaththu remarked on the eve of their tournament opener against India.
After an eight-year hiatus, Sri Lanka is marking a significant return to the Women`s World Cup. Athapaththu has set an immediate, ambitious target for her team: to reach the semi-finals, especially with five crucial league games scheduled to be played at home.
She further elaborated on the unique advantage of their host status: “This marks Sri Lanka`s first time co-hosting the tournament. Competing in the subcontinent provides an inherent advantage because India and Sri Lanka share very similar playing conditions. However, we must be careful not to dwell on this too much, as overthinking could negatively impact our performance. If we manage to secure a spot in the semifinals, that would represent a truly commendable achievement for us. From that point, we can then strategize further.”
Athapaththu openly acknowledged that India stands as the primary contender and the team to beat, particularly given their profound familiarity with the local pitches and environment.
“We have demonstrated consistently strong cricket over the past 12 months. India is undoubtedly the favorite, possessing an intimate knowledge of these conditions. Our primary goal is simply to deliver our best possible performance without succumbing to excessive pressure. If we execute our game plan effectively, we believe we can win. India is a well-established and experienced side,” she observed.
Sri Lanka`s preparatory phase for the World Cup included a commendable runner-up finish in a home tri-nation series earlier this year, building on their success of lifting the Asia Cup T20 crown in the preceding year.
Regarding their recent form, Athapaththu stated, “While we haven`t engaged in international cricket since the tri-series, we enjoyed a robust domestic season. In that tri-series, we achieved a significant victory against South Africa but were ultimately defeated by India in the final. On the whole, our cricket has been of a high standard. Both our younger talents and seasoned players are currently in excellent form, and I am optimistic that we can play our finest cricket throughout this World Cup.”
With five of their seven league games slated to be held at Colombo`s iconic R Premadasa Stadium, Sri Lanka is keenly aware of the significant home advantage this offers and aims to capitalize on it.
“We have five matches on our own soil, and our understanding of these conditions surpasses anyone else`s. Yet, despite this, we still have to perform at our absolute peak. As a cohesive bowling and batting unit, we need to synchronize our efforts effectively. The ground, the fervent spectators – every element is in our favor, but ultimately, we must still deliver on the field,” Athapaththu cautioned, stressing the critical need for execution.
Athapaththu, who has gained valuable experience playing in two seasons of the Women`s Premier League, also shared her astute thoughts on the upcoming encounter with India in the opening match.
“I am well-acquainted with most of the Indian players; I understand their skill sets, and similarly, they are aware of mine. They boast a formidable, experienced bowling line-up. On any given day, the team that demonstrates superior ability to absorb and respond to the challenges will emerge victorious. Relatively speaking, India might be under a slightly greater degree of pressure compared to our team.” Despite Sri Lanka finishing fifth in the ICC Women`s Championship, Athapaththu firmly believes that the combination of experienced players, emerging youth, and passionate home support can truly make a significant difference this time around.
“It`s no longer solely dependent on me. We are fortunate to have young players who are proficient in handling pressure, and they are executing their roles exceptionally well,” she concluded, highlighting the team`s collective strength and maturity.
