“This Will Be Mini World Cup…”: Harmanpreet Kaur, Chamari Athapaththu, And Laura Wolvaardt Praise the Tri-Nation Series Ahead Of The ODI World Cup

With just five months to go until the Women’s ODI World Cup, teams are ramping up their preparations. Following the intense Qualifier, where Pakistan and Bangladesh secured their spots in the tournament, the focus now shifts to Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka will host India and South Africa in a seven-match tri-series, bringing a competitive edge with the added pressure of reaching a final. With all three teams featuring uncapped players in their squads, fans can expect a mix of fresh faces and familiar rivalries, making this an exciting buildup to the World Cup.

The Colombo Heat: A New Challenge for the Players

With temperatures lingering around the mid-30 degrees Celsius mark, the tri-nation series promises to be as much about endurance as skill. It’s not just uncomfortable—it’s a genuine performance hazard. Heat affects concentration, stamina, and recovery time. Fatigue sets in faster, and mistakes follow close behind.

Adjusting to the Conditions

Coming from a South African winter, Wolvaardt admitted it would be a “shock to the system.” Their last few weeks have been spent layering up, not stripping down for tropical heat.

Wolvaardt said, “The last time we were here was back in 2017 for the qualifiers, which feels like quite a long time ago. So, I’m not entirely sure what to expect regarding the formats—this is part of being the visiting side. Hopefully, we can get as much as possible from the upcoming training sessions over the next few days. We’ll also observe their game to gather some insights. Regardless, this will be excellent preparation—it’s still in the subcontinent, and the conditions are hot, making it a good challenge. It’s definitely a lot hotter than what we’re used to back home. In fact I think we’re going into a winter now [in South Africa], so it’s going to be a bit of a shock to the system.”

Harmanpreet Kaur’s Strategy for India

India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur emphasized managing freshness and hydration. “After months of night matches,” she said, “playing day games again is going to test our endurance.” Staying hydrated, managing electrolytes, and strategic rest will be just as important as batting averages and bowling figures.

Kaur added, “Fortunately, we have a lot of experience within the team—we have been playing cricket together for a long time. That experience will definitely help us. These conditions are very similar to Indian conditions, especially in terms of the heat. If the ball starts turning on these pitches, it’s something we are quite used to from playing at home. I believe this familiarity with the conditions will help us perform well against both teams.”

Prepping for the ODI World Cup 2025

It’s no coincidence this tri-series was organized now. With the Women’s ODI World Cup looming, every game is a rehearsal for the grand stage. Teams need to build resilience, learn to recover between matches, and adapt under pressure. Tri-series setups create scenarios similar to World Cup conditions: frequent matches, shifting strategies, and run-rate considerations. It’s a crash course in high-stakes cricket.

Captains’ Views on the Tri-Series Setup

Harmanpreet called it a “great initiative,” highlighting how different matchups force players to constantly recalibrate, a crucial skill for the World Cup. India, ranked third in ICC Women’s ODI standings, is eyeing nothing less than a final appearance. This tri-series is their perfect dress rehearsal, polishing those last-minute kinks before the big show.

Kaur explained, “I think it’s a great initiative. Before the World Cup, playing in a tri-series gives us a very similar experience to the tournament itself, where you have to compete against different teams while keeping an eye on your run rate and the points table. These factors play a crucial role in a World Cup setting, so I believe this tournament will benefit all the teams involved. I’m especially happy that we got this opportunity in Sri Lanka because the atmosphere here is quite similar to what we will experience during the World Cup in India. Overall, it’s a great initiative, and I’m really glad we’re getting this chance.”

For Wolvaardt and her team, this series is about adjusting quickly, handling different pressures, and testing new combinations in game scenarios that mirror World Cup realities.

Wolvaardt stated, “Perfect in a World Cup year. Just being able to play in a knockout format, and then a final before the World Cup is a great experience. Conditions-wise, being able to prep and play against different teams is also very good.”

Sri Lanka’s Steady Climb

Sri Lanka has had some of their most successful years recently. They are no longer easy pushovers; they’re fighters—but consistency remains a hurdle. Chamari Athapaththu candidly admitted the team’s over-reliance on the top three batters. When they fire, Sri Lanka shines. When they don’t, collapses are all too familiar. In a bid to fix their Achilles’ heel, Sri Lanka added new faces like Hasini Perera, Hansima Karunaratne, and promising U-19 star Manudi Nanayakkara.

Srilanka skipper explained, “In a lot of games, the top three – Vishmi, Harshitha and myself – have played and scored runs, but to be honest the middle order hasn’t contributed enough. That’s one of the reasons why we’ve brought in Hasini [Perera] and Hansima Karunaratne. We also have the Under-19 captain Manudi Nanayakkara. The goal is to create a deep batting order, because in the 50-over format it’s our batting that has been a problem. We’re looking to get a good combination of youth and experience – we’ll be trying a few young players out ahead of the World Cup.”

Athapaththu emphasized the importance of senior players absorbing pressure so the younger lot can play with freedom. It’s about shielding the rookies and letting them flourish naturally.

For India and South Africa, it’s about refining strategies. For Sri Lanka, it’s about building belief and depth. Either way, expect battles fought not just with bat and ball, but with grit, sweat, and an unyielding will to adapt.