Sri Lanka enters the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 with renewed ambition and a squad that promises a mix of seasoned leadership and emerging talent. After missing the 2022 edition, the Island nation is eager to capitalise on home advantage as it co-hosts the tournament and showcases its growth on the global stage. The spotlight will inevitably fall on a few key players whose performances could define Sri Lanka’s journey in this highly competitive event.

With a squad featuring dynamic batters and impactful bowlers, Sri Lanka aims to combine experience with youthful energy. The team’s success hinges on players who can deliver match-winning performances and lead from the front. Among these, three players stand out for their proven skills and potential to make a significant impact in the World Cup spotlight.

Top 3 players to watch out for:
1) Chamari Athapaththu
Chamari Athapaththu remains the undisputed linchpin of Sri Lanka’s Women’s cricket team, leading from the front both as captain and an all-rounder. In 115 Women’s One Day Internationals (WODIs), she has scored 3,877 runs at an impressive average of 35.24. Her batting record includes 9 centuries and 19 half-centuries, demonstrating her ability to play consistent and match-defining innings. Known for her aggressive style, Athapaththu holds a top score of 195 not out—an unbeaten knock against South Africa in 2024 that ranks as one of the highest scores in women’s ODIs. Beyond her batting prowess, Athapaththu contributes significantly with the ball, having taken 45 ODI wickets, making her a genuine all-round threat.

As a captain, Athapaththu has steered Sri Lanka through some of its most historic moments in women’s cricket, including its first bilateral ODI series win against New Zealand in 2023, where she scored two centuries in the series and earned player of the series honours. Her leadership is characterised by resilience and tactical shrewdness, inspiring a squad blending youth and experience. Her on-field performances often set the tone for the team, whether through powerful opening batting displays or crucial breakthroughs with her right-arm off-spin bowling. The 2025 Women’s World Cup is poised to be another stage where Athapaththu’s experience, skill, and leadership will be vital to Sri Lanka’s hopes of making a significant impact on home soil.

2) Harshitha Samarawickrama
Harshitha Samarawickrama has established herself as a vital all-round asset for Sri Lanka in the Women’s ODIs. She has appeared in 41 matches, accumulating 1,075 runs at an average of 30.71. Her batting includes 5 half-centuries and a top score of 105 runs, showcasing her ability to stabilise the innings with steady performances and contribute crucial runs under pressure. Samarawickrama’s strike rate of 69.85 reflects her balanced approach between aggression and composure, often providing the team with valuable starts or finishing touches depending on the situation.

Beyond statistics, Harshitha’s elegant strokeplay and tactical understanding make her a reliable figure in the Sri Lankan lineup. She has been particularly impressive in key tournaments like the Asia Cup and tri-nation ODI series, where her ability to build meaningful partnerships has often been critical. As an all-rounder, she brings versatility and composure in pressure situations, which will be invaluable for Sri Lanka as they aim for a strong showing in the World Cup. Her recent form and experience will make her a key player to watch, especially when paired with the team’s experienced leaders like Chamari Athapaththu.

3) Dewmi Vihanga
Dewmi Vihanga is one of Sri Lanka’s promising young all-rounders making waves in international women’s cricket. Having made her ODI debut in early 2025, she has already shown glimpses of her potential with key performances in a handful of WODI matches. In 4 ODIs so far, debuting earlier this year, Dewmi has scored 21 runs with a top score of 16. It is in her bowling where she truly stands out as a wicket-taking threat. Dewmi has taken 11 wickets in these 4 matches at an impressive average of 18.81, including a five-wicket haul (5/43), showcasing her ability to dismantle strong batting line-ups with her right-arm off-spin.

Beyond the numbers, Dewmi’s impact has been felt in crucial moments, such as in the Sri Lanka Women’s Tri-Nation Series 2025, where her effective bowling has played a pivotal role in the team’s breakthroughs against quality opposition like South Africa and India. Her economical bowling with a commendable strike rate and ability to take multiple wickets in an innings provides the balance Sri Lanka needs in their bowling attack. As she continues to gain experience and confidence at the international level, Dewmi Vihanga’s all-round capabilities make her a key player to watch for Sri Lanka in the Women’s World Cup 2025, where her performances could be decisive in tight contests on home turf.

Sri Lanka enters the Women’s World Cup 2025 with a strong mix of experience and youthful talent, led by the formidable Chamari Athapaththu. Playing on familiar subcontinent pitches and backed by passionate home support, the team has a genuine opportunity to challenge some of the top sides and create memorable moments. With key players like Harshitha Samarawickrama and Dewmi Vihanga complementing their captain’s leadership and all-around skills, Sri Lanka looks poised to make a significant impact and raise the profile of women’s cricket in the country. The tournament will be a test of their resilience, skill, and teamwork as they aim to write a new chapter in Sri Lankan cricket history.