Sri Lanka Cricket has named a 15-player squad for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup, with left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera among the notable omissions. The selection, announced on Friday, will see Ranaweera left out alongside Rashmika Sewwandi and Dewmi Vihanga, while Vishmi Gunaratne returns to the group.
Changes to Sri Lanka’s squad
Inoka Ranaweera, a 40-year-old left-arm spinner, has 91 T20I appearances to her name. She is joined on the sidelines by Rashmika Sewwandi and Dewmi Vihanga, who had been part of Sri Lanka’s tour of Bangladesh in April-May. Ranaweera did not feature in the T20I matches against Bangladesh during that trip.
However, her most recent tour before that, against West Indies at St George’s in March, showed her impact with the ball. Across three appearances on that tour, she delivered disciplined spells and produced a pair of wickets in two of those outings.
In contrast, the selectors have recalled Vishmi Gunaratne, a 20-year-old batter. Gunaratne has played 54 T20Is, but her performances in the shortest format have been inconsistent, particularly after the start of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup.
Alongside Gunaratne, the squad also includes Shashini Gimhani, a 17-year-old ambidextrous wrist spinner, and Kawya Kavindi, a 23-year-old seamer.
Confirmed Sri Lanka squad
- Chamari Athapaththu (Captain)
- Hasini Perera
- Vishmi Gunarathne
- Harshitha Samarawickrama
- Imesha Dulani
- Nilakshika Silva
- Kaveesha Dilhari
- Hansima Karunarathne
- Kaushini Nuthyangana
- Sugandika Dassanayaka
- Nimasha Madushani
- Shashini Gimhani
- Kawya Kavindi
- Malki Madara
- Mithali Ayodhya
Sri Lanka’s tournament schedule
- Sri Lanka, led by captain Chamari Athapaththu, will open their campaign against England at Edgbaston on June 12.
- They will then face New Zealand in Southampton.
- Next, Sri Lanka take on West Indies and Ireland in Bristol.
- The final league match is against Scotland at Old Trafford on June 26.
- The squad is scheduled to depart for England on June 3.
