Sri Lanka Women enter the opening WT20I against West Indies Women with a squad that reflects growth, balance, and increasing confidence in the shortest format. Over the past few years, Sri Lanka has steadily developed a strong spin attack complemented by promising young batters and dependable all-rounders. Their recent performances show a team capable of competing against higher-ranked opposition through discipline and tactical awareness. As they prepare to face the powerful West Indies side, much of their hopes will rest on the contributions of Vishmi Gunaratne, Kavisha Dilhari, and Inoka Ranaweera, three players whose skill sets cover stability, versatility, and experience.
Vishmi Gunaratne
Vishmi Gunaratne has quickly emerged as one of Sri Lanka Women’s most dependable young batters, particularly at the top of the order. Still early in her international career, Vishmi has already shown the temperament and technical composure required to succeed at the highest level. In WT20Is, she has played 51 matches and scored 795 runs at an average of 18.48 and a strike rate of 88.33, with three half-centuries and a highest score of 73*. These numbers reflect her steady growth as an opener who can anchor innings while also accelerating when required. In recent matches, Vishmi has continued to provide Sri Lanka with stable starts, showing improved shot selection and composure against both pace and spin. If she settles early, Vishmi has the potential to lay the foundation for Sri Lanka to post or chase a competitive total.
Kavisha Dilhari
Kavisha Dilhari is undoubtedly one of Sri Lanka Women’s most important players for her all-round abilities. Her contributions with both bat and ball provide balance to the side and offer multiple tactical options to the captain. In WT20Is, Kavisha has played 74 matches, scoring 604 runs at a strike rate of 104.67, highlighting her ability to accelerate scoring in pressure situations. While her batting average of 13.72 may seem modest, her role often requires her to play aggressive cameos rather than long innings. Her highest score of 51* reflects her capability to finish innings strongly. Her bowling, however, is where she truly stands out. Kavisha has taken 59 wickets in WT20Is at an impressive average of 22.81 and a strike rate of 20.6, with best figures of 4/13. These numbers underline her effectiveness as a wicket-taking off-spinner capable of breaking crucial partnerships.
Inoka Ranaweera
Inoka Ranaweera remains the backbone of Sri Lanka Women’s bowling attack, bringing immense experience and reliability. A specialist left-arm spinner, she has been one of Sri Lanka’s most consistent performers in the format. In WT20Is, Inoka has played 88 matches and taken 93 wickets at an excellent average of 19.37 and an economy rate of just 6.02, with best figures of 4/7. Inoka’s strength lies in her accuracy and ability to read batters. She rarely gives away easy runs and builds pressure that often results in wickets at the other end. In recent fixtures, Inoka has continued to demonstrate her value by delivering economical spells and crucial breakthroughs. Her calm temperament and tactical awareness make her a trusted bowler in high-pressure situations.
Sri Lanka Women’s success in the 1st WT20I will heavily depend on the performances of Vishmi Gunaratne, Kavisha Dilhari, and Inoka Ranaweera. Vishmi brings stability and long-term promise at the top of the order, Kavisha provides invaluable all-round balance with her batting explosiveness and wicket-taking bowling, and Inoka offers experience and control as the leader of the spin attack. Together, these three players represent the core strength of Sri Lanka Women’s lineup.
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