Athapaththu to Lead Sri Lanka at Women's World Cup; Five Rookies Earn Call-Ups

Sri Lanka have handed maiden World Cup call-ups to five players in their 15-member squad for the ICC Women's World Cup 2025, which begins on September 30. The first-time World Cuppers include Kavisha Dilhari, Malki Madara, Vishmi Gunaratne, Imesha Dulani, and Dewmi Vihanga. The side will be captained by veteran Chamari Athapaththu.

From the squad that featured in the tri-series against India and South Africa earlier this year (April-May), Hansima Karunaratne, Manudi Nanayakkara, and Rashmika Sewwandi have missed out. Imesha Dulani and senior seamer Udeshika Prabodani return to the squad, while 38-year-old offspinner Inoshi Fernando has been named as the reserve.

Sri Lanka's recent ODI form has been patchy, with just two wins from eight matches in 2025 (five defeats and one no result). They have never reached a Women's World Cup final, and will be desperate to turn their fortunes around at this edition.

Sri Lanka are scheduled to play all but two of their fixtures at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Exceptions are their tournament opener against co-hosts India in Guwahati (September 30) and the clash with Bangladesh in Navi Mumbai (October 20). Warm-up matches are set against Pakistan (September 25) and Bangladesh (September 27), both in Colombo.

Squad: Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Imesha Dulani, Dewmi Vihanga, Piumi Wathsala, Inoka Ranaweera, Sugandika Kumari, Udeshika Prabodani, Malki Madara, Achini Kulasooriya