Chamari Athapaththu: Power-hitting is important, but not always

With the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in mind, Sri Lanka has opted to field a new-look outfit for the India tour. The likes of Anushka Sanjeewani, Udeshika Prabodhani, Achini Kulasuriya, and Sugandika Kumar have all made way for fresh names like 17-year-old Shashini Gimhani and left-arm spinner Nimesha Madushani.

Ahead of her side’s clash with India in the first of the five-match T20I series at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Sunday, skipper Chamari Athapaththu said that the team has the opportunity to try out a few things before next year’s showpiece.

“The selectors decided to bring more youngsters into the team for the next T20 World Cup. We will try a few things in this T20 tournament. We have good youngsters because of the good domestic structure. Our under-19 girls are playing really good cricket  and so we picked a couple of them for the national team. This is a really good opportunity for them to play their best cricket. I will try and help them establish themselves in this team,” she said.

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Athapaththu also had a few words of wisdom for the next generation.

“As youngsters, they have to play their best cricket. Having a positive approach is the most important thing. I always tell them to play freely, play their natural game and not take too much pressure on their shoulders. As a senior player and as a captain, I trust them. I want to build a good team for the future.”

While few Asian teams, including Sri Lanka, can match the fireworks India’s batters can produce, Athapaththu doesn’t think it will be a make or break factor.

“Compared to India, we don’t have many power hitters. But our players know how to time the ball. On that particular day, the team which plays the best cricket, stays smart, plays according to the conditions and opposition bowlers will win. Power hitting is important, but not always. We need to clear 60 meters and I don’t think we need muscular players to clear that. The most important thing is timing the ball very well.”

Published on Dec 20, 2025