Sri Lanka has bolstered their squad for the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup with an experienced addition, marking the only change from the team that clinched their maiden Asia Cup title in July 2024. With this announcement, all 10 teams set to compete in the tournament, scheduled from October 3 to 20 in the United Arab Emirates, are now confirmed.
Veteran left-arm off-spinner Inoka Ranaweera (38) makes her return to the national team for the first time since June 2024, and to the T20I side since May 2024. During this period, she missed out on Sri Lanka’s successful Asia Cup campaign and the subsequent series in Ireland. With over 150 international wickets, including 91 from 82 T20Is at an average of 18.03, an economy rate of 5.86, and the best of 4/7, Ranaweera brings valuable depth and experience to Sri Lanka’s bowling attack.
Sri Lanka’s squad for 2024 T20 World Cup:
Chamari Athapaththu (C), Anushka Sanjeewani, Harshitha Madhavi, Nilakshika de Silva, Inoka Ranaweera, Hasini Perera, Kavisha Dilhari, Sachini Nisansala, Vishmi Gunaratne, Udeshika Prabodhani, Achini Kulasuriya, Sugandika Kumari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Shashini Gimhani, Ama Kanchana
Travelling reserve: Kaushini Nuthyangana
Inoka’s inclusion has come at the cost of 21-year-old pacer Kawya Kavindi, leaving Sri Lanka with just three frontline pacers in Udeshika Prabodhani, Ama Kanchana, and Achini Kulasuriya. Notably, Kawya struggled to break into the playing XI of this in-form Sri Lanka team, having played only one match during their recent campaigns in the home Asia Cup and the away series in Ireland.
While Kawya has taken 5 wickets in as many innings this year, Achini Kulasuriya has struggled, managing just 4 wickets across 10 innings. Much of the responsibility now rests on Udeshika, whose impressive form has seen her take 13 wickets in 10 games. Sri Lanka’s core strength, however, lies in their spin attack, featuring Kavisha Dilhari, Inoshi Priyadharshani, Sugandika Kumari, skipper Chamari Athapaththu, and the returning Inoka Ranaweera.
Notably, spinners Kavisha, Inoshi, and Chamari have been Sri Lanka’s top wicket-takers this year, with 19, 17, and 15 wickets, respectively. Kavisha’s all-round abilities have been key to their success, contributing 205 runs from 13 outings, including a fifty, at an impressive strike rate of 122.75. Chamari, Sri Lanka’s leading run-scorer in international cricket, has once again topped the charts this year while also solidifying her presence as a dependable bowler and helping to establish a strong batting lineup.
Harshitha Samarawickrama (26) and Vishmi Gunaratne (19) have also stepped up, following Chamari on the runs tally this year with 430 and 373 runs, respectively; their T20I best scores of 86* and 73* also came this year. With this in-form quartet of Chamari, Vishmi, Harshitha, and Kavisha making up Sri Lanka’s top order, and an experienced bowling attack, this team cannot be written off.
In addition to delivering a stunning defeat to seven-time Asia Cup champions India in the final and maintaining an unbeaten run in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, Sri Lanka has made significant strides in international cricket over the past 18 months, including achieving historic victories against England and South Africa for the first time in any format and securing a silver medal at the Asian Games. This year, Sri Lanka has played 16 T20Is, winning 13, and they will be eager to carry this momentum into the 2024 World Cup.
Sri Lanka has never reached a T20 World Cup semi-final and achieving that milestone will be a key goal when they take the field next month. Clubbed in Group A, Sri Lanka will begin their campaign against Pakistan, followed by matches against Australia, India, and New Zealand.