At the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka are likely to overcome the horrors of the 2024 edition.
Sri Lanka lost four out of four games at the last tournament. The positive spin on that, perhaps, is that it cannot get any worse. In all fairness, it shouldn’t, given the group they have received this time around.
Group B is undoubtedly the easier of the two at this tournament, with India, Australia, and South Africa all in the other one. Defending champions New Zealand should take one of the qualifying spots from Group B, while hosts England are favourites for the other – but one result may change that.
Sri Lanka drew 1-1 in New Zealand in March 2025, and beat the West Indies 2-0 in the Caribbean earlier this year – both results from which they will take heart heading into the World Cup. Their whitewash of Bangladesh (not in their group) in April was also a solid outcome.
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No longer dependent on Athapaththu?
Run-scoring at the previous World Cup was difficult, but even so, Sri Lanka had a horror show with the bat. Nilakshika Silva was their top run-scorer with 73 runs, and struck at 82. But even in that year, Sri Lanka showed they were slowly moving away from being over-dependent on Chamari Athapaththu to score virtually all of their runs.
Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari stepped up in the Asia Cup final in 2024. Since the last World Cup, Athapaththu remains the standout batter, but there has been a greater collective effort from the rest of the batting lineup. The experienced Hasini Perera and young Imesha Dulani in particular have shown that they can be counted on if and when their captain does not come off. In better batting conditions than the previous tournament, Sri Lanka will expect all three to come to the party.
Samarawickrama and Dilhari have not quite set things on fire in their recent games, but Dilhari adds all-round value with her off-spin. If all goes well, these two may not be required much, in any case.
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The wildcards
Between Dilhari and Athapaththu, Sri Lanka have their off-spin department covered. Sugandika Kumari adds the left-arm angle, and Malki Madara is set to lead their seam attack with Kawya Kavindi as support. When ambidextrous spinner Shashini Gimhani was ruled out, they replaced her with seamer Chethana Vimukti.
With two genuine bowlers in their top five, Sri Lanka have had room for another specialist bowler in Mithali Ayodhya. Now 19, she only made her international debut in end-April, and is perhaps the first bowler of her stature in the women’s game. At a naturally lower speed, around 110-115 kmph, she adds an element of movement with the new ball. Control remains an issue but unfamiliarity will work in her favour.
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Sri Lanka squad at the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup:
Chamari Athapaththu (c), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunarathne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Imesha Dulani, Nilakshika Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Hansima Karunarathne, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sugandika Kumari, Nimasha Madushani, Kawya Kavindi, Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhya, Chethana Vimukti.
Sri Lanka schedule at the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup
All timings local
June 12, 6.30am: v England, Birmingham
June 16, 2.30pm: v New Zealand, Southampton
June 21, 10.30am: v West Indies, Bristol
June 23, 2.30pm: v Ireland, Bristol
June 26, 6pm: v Scotland, Manchester
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