SA vs SL: “I’m Really Happy About Our Team Performance”- Chamari Athapaththu

In a riveting encounter at the 2nd T20I between South Africa and Sri Lanka, cricket aficionados were treated to a spectacle as Chamari Athapaththu-led Sri Lanka pulled off an emphatic victory, drawing the series 1-1. The match was not just a testament to Sri Lanka’s resilience but also showcased the emergence of their young talents, leaving fans buzzing with excitement.

Speaking at the post-match press conference to Neha Shetty of Women’s CricInsight, Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu radiated pride in her team’s performance. 

“I’m really happy about our team performance, especially the way the youngsters handled the pressure in the middle. It is a really good sign. As a captain, I’m really proud of them. I hope they will continue these performances in the next game as well,” she remarked.

Athapaththu singled out Kavisha Dilhari and Vishmi Gunaratne for their stellar contributions and expressed hope for their continued success in future games.

Reflecting on Sri Lanka’s recent triumphs against formidable opponents, Athapaththu hinted at a potential shift in the landscape of world cricket. “Last couple of months, we’ve been playing really good cricket. We’ve improved a lot in batting, fielding, and bowling,” she asserted.

She further added, “We beat New Zealand on our home soil and we beat England on their home soil as well. So we have played really, really good cricket the last couple of months.”

“We want to continue this performance not only in this tournament but also in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers and the World Cup,” Athapaththu said.

The bowling performance was crucial in restricting South Africa to a chaseable total of 137, but Athapaththu acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in the fielding department. “The bowlers bowled really well in the power play and at the death, but we dropped a few catches. We have to improve in that area for the next game,” she admitted.

Vishmi Gunaratne, who played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s victory with a sublime knock of 65, shared her thoughts on the milestone. “I’m really happy about my first half-century. My team helped me a lot in this game, especially my captain, Chamari Athapaththu,” Gunaratne expressed gratefully.

“She is a very experienced player, and she taught me everything I needed to know while I was out in the middle. I’d like to thank her for her guidance.”

Gunaratne’s partnership with Kavisha Dilhari proved to be the cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s triumph, exemplifying the depth of talent and teamwork within the squad. As Sri Lanka gears up for the decisive encounter, the team’s cohesion and the burgeoning talent of its young stars offer promising prospects for the future of Sri Lankan cricket.

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