Sri Lanka Captain Points
On October 8, 2024, Sri Lanka’s captain Chamari Athapaththu shared her insights ahead of the crucial ICC Women’s T20 World Cup match against India, scheduled for October 9 in Dubai. She emphasized that India’s key batter in the current conditions is Jemimah Rodrigues, who has shown better adaptability compared to her teammates like Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana. Athapaththu believes that both teams are struggling because of the low bounce and slow pace of the UAE pitches, which have impacted the scoring rate.
India, which lost heavily against New Zealand in their opening match, bounced back with a win against Pakistan but failed to accelerate their run rate. This has left them in a precarious position in the Group A standings. Athapaththu pointed out that the pressure is mounting on both sides to deliver a win, which makes this match a make-or-break situation.
Sri Lanka has been on the back foot since their opening-day loss to Pakistan, followed by a defeat to defending champions Australia. Athapaththu mentioned that her team has been unable to score freely and needs to approach the game against India with a fearless mindset. Despite these setbacks, she remains confident and believes her team should focus on playing to their strengths.
Concerns for Both Teams
India’s primary concern is that its star batters have struggled to find a rhythm. Athapaththu highlighted Jemimah Rodrigues as the player most likely to succeed under these conditions, owing to her technique and comfort on slow pitches. Sri Lanka’s challenge is a lack of power hitters who can consistently clear boundaries.
Athapaththu admitted that her team does not have “big arms or big bodies” to hit the ball out of the park and has struggled to adjust to pitches that do not offer pace or bounce. She acknowledged that India, with its technically strong batting line-up, should have an advantage. However, the tricky conditions in Dubai have leveled the playing field.
Group A Standings and Remaining Matches
The outcome of this match will be crucial in determining the standings in Group A, where net run rate (NRR) could be a decisive factor. With both India and Sri Lanka tied on points, each team needs a win to stay in contention for the semifinals. Athapaththu’s focus is on playing smart cricket without overcomplicating strategies,
| Country | Team | Matches Played | Wins | Losses | Points | Net Run Rate (NRR) |
|---|
| 🇳🇿 | New Zealand | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +1.500 |
| 🇱🇰 | Sri Lanka | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +0.650 |
| 🇦🇺 | Australia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | +0.300 |
| 🇮🇳 | India | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -0.450 |
| 🇵🇰 | Pakistan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1.200 |
Match Strategies and Plans
Athapaththu also revealed that her team has specific plans for each Indian batter, focusing on how to limit runs and create pressure in the middle overs. “Harmanpreet (Kaur) has adapted well, so it’s important to execute our plans against her,” she mentioned, referring to the Indian captain’s ability to counterattack.
Both teams are aware that their final group-stage matches could see net run rate become a deciding factor. India’s cautious approach against Pakistan in their previous match came under criticism for not attempting to boost their NRR, but Athapaththu understands the importance of securing wins first. She expects India to follow a similar strategy against Sri Lanka, aiming to secure two points rather than risk their position by trying to improve the NRR aggressively.
Athapaththu’s candid assessment of both teams’ struggles reflects the high stakes of this contest. For Sri Lanka, the key will be executing their plans without getting bogged down by the pressure of the occasion. She wants her team to play their “best and fearless cricket” and keep the game simple, as they carry the underdog tag going into the match.
For India, all eyes will be on Jemimah Rodrigues and how she handles the middle overs against Sri Lanka’s spinners. A good start from India’s top order could set the tone for the rest of the innings, but the conditions make this a challenging task.
This match is crucial for both teams, with the winner likely to keep their semifinal hopes alive. It’s expected to be a high-intensity game as both teams look to overcome their respective challenges and secure a much-needed win.
