Sri Lanka have reshuffled their Women’s T20 World Cup squad at the eleventh hour. Ambidextrous wrist-spinner Shashini Gimhani, all set for her first senior global event, has been ruled out after a lower-back strain flared up in training last week. Medical staff recommended rest, not risk, so she stays in Colombo for rehab.
Her place goes to 25-year-old right-arm seamer Chethana Vimukthi. The quick has yet to play a T20 international, though she featured in three ODIs against New Zealand in March 2025. “It’s never easy coming in under these circumstances, yet it’s an opportunity I’ve worked towards,” Vimukthi said in a brief statement released by Sri Lanka Cricket. She also turned out for Sri Lanka A in the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars event earlier this year, so the environment shouldn’t feel completely foreign.
The rest of the 15-strong squad flew to the UK on 2 June, with Chamari Athapaththu captaining her country at a T20 World Cup for the tenth time—no small feat for the left-hander. Head coach Rumesh Ratnayake summed up objectives in low-key fashion: “We want to do better than last time, that’s the simple target.”
Improvement is certainly possible. Sri Lanka finished ninth in 2024 after losing all four group matches. This time they share Group 2 with England, New Zealand, West Indies, Ireland and Scotland. The opener against England at Edgbaston on 12 June offers little easing-in period. Southampton hosts the New Zealand clash on 16 June, Bristol stages back-to-back games versus West Indies (21 June) and Ireland (23 June), before the group phase wraps up in Manchester against Scotland on 26 June. Top two progress to the semi-finals.
Updated squad: Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Imesha Dulani, Nilakshika Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Hansima Karunarathne, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sugandika Dassanayaka, Nimasha Madushani, Kawya Kavindi, Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhya, Chethana Vimukthi.
Gimhani’s rehab programme starts immediately, and selectors insist the door will stay open once she’s fit. For now Sri Lanka cross the equator with one enforced change and the familiar aim of springing an upset or two.
