As the excitement builds for the 2nd WODI between West Indies and Sri Lanka, the spotlight once again turns to the individuals who can shape the narrative of the contest. Sri Lanka Women, riding on confidence from recent performances, will lean heavily on their proven match-winners to deliver under pressure. With the series delicately poised, the performances of senior pros and impactful all-rounders could ultimately define how this clash unfolds. Among those carrying the hopes of the island nation are three pivotal figures, Chamari Athapaththu, Kavisha Dilhari, and Inoka Ranaweera, each bringing a unique skill set and proven international pedigree into this crucial encounter.
Chamari Athapaththu
When you talk about Sri Lankan women’s cricket, Chamari Athapaththu is the first name that comes to mind, and with good reason. As captain and premier batter, Athapaththu has rewritten Sri Lanka’s batting record books over the past decade. She is Sri Lanka’s leading run-scorer in Women’s ODIs, amassing 4072 ODI runs at an average exceeding 35, including 9 centuries and 20 half-centuries. Her ability to dominate bowling attacks at the top of the order gives Sri Lanka the perfect platform in both setting and chasing targets. In the opening ODI of the series, Athapaththu once again showed her value, contributing a composed knock at the top while ensuring Sri Lanka did not lose early momentum. If she bats deep in the 2nd WODI, Sri Lanka’s chances of posting or chasing a formidable total rise significantly.
Kavisha Dilhari
If Athapaththu is the heartbeat of the batting order, Kavisha Dilhari provides the side with its much-needed balance. Still in the early years of her international journey, Dilhari has already established herself as a dependable all-rounder. In Women’s ODIs, she has scored 742 runs while also scalping more than 33 wickets with her disciplined off-spin. Her versatility allows Sri Lanka flexibility in team composition; she can anchor in the middle order or accelerate when required, and with the ball, she often breaks partnerships in the middle overs. In the last match, Dilhari chipped in with valuable runs and delivered tight spells that prevented the West Indies batters from breaking free. It is this dual impact that makes her such a key player to watch in the 2nd WODI.
Inoka Ranaweera
Inoka Ranaweera, with nearly 91 ODI wickets to her name at an average hovering in the low 30s, has been a consistent performer for Sri Lanka in the 50-over format. She thrives in conditions that offer grip, but even on flatter surfaces, her control and subtle variations make scoring difficult. In the previous game, Ranaweera played a crucial role by maintaining pressure through the middle overs, conceding minimal runs while picking up key breakthroughs. Her ability to build dot-ball pressure often forces batters into mistakes at the other end. Against West Indies Women, who rely heavily on power-hitting, Ranaweera’s experience and tactical awareness will be central to Sri Lanka’s bowling plans.
As the 2nd WODI approaches, Sri Lanka’s hopes rest significantly on these three pillars. Athapaththu’s commanding presence at the crease, Dilhari’s all-round dynamism, and Ranaweera’s composed spin artistry collectively offer Sri Lanka the perfect blend of aggression and control. If this trio fires in unison, the visitors could very well seize control of the series and underline their growing stature in women’s international cricket.
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