{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Chamari Athapaththu to Lead Sri Lanka at Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 as 15-Player Squad Announced",
  "summary": "Sri Lanka Cricket has named a 15-member squad for the upcoming Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026, handing leadership duties to Chamari Athapaththu while introducing fresh faces and bringing back experienced options.",
  "content": "Sri Lanka Cricket has officially unveiled a 15-player squad for the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026, which is scheduled to commence on August 28, 2026. Heading into the tournament as defending champions after defeating India in the 2024 final, the Sri Lankan setup features notable inclusions, key returns, and a few strategic exclusions compared to the home T20 series played against Pakistan last month.\n\n \n\nLeadership and Rising Talent Retained\n\nVeteran batter Chamari Athapaththu will captain the national team during the tournament, with Harshitha Samarawickrama serving as the vice-captain. Among the prominent names retaining their spots is 17-year-old Sanjana Kavindi, who impressed during her international T20 debut against Pakistan. Kavindi earned her place after accumulating 66 runs across two matches at an explosive strike rate of 157.14.\n\n \n\nSquad Modifications and Fresh Faces\n\nThe selection committee has executed three major alterations to the T20 roster that recently competed against Pakistan. Medium pacer Mitali Ayodhya makes her return to the squad. Although Ayodhya was a member of Sri Lanka's Women's T20 World Cup team, she had been excluded from the recent bilateral T20 fixtures against Pakistan.\n\n Joining her in the squad is leg-spinner Dewmi Vihanga, who has received her maiden call-up to the national T20 team. Additionally, fast bowler Chetana Vimukthi returns to the T20 group after having featured in the 50-over ODI squad against Pakistan last month.\n\n To accommodate these changes, three players have been left out of the Asia Cup lineup. Fast bowler Malki Madara, seam-bowling all-rounder Rashmika Sewwandi, and left-arm spinner Nimasha Meepage were all omitted from the final 15-member selection.\n\n \n\nGroup Allocation and Match Fixtures\n\nSri Lanka has been placed in Group B for the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 alongside Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the United Arab Emirates. The Sri Lankan side will launch their title defense on August 29, 2026, when they face host nation UAE in their opening fixture of the group stage.\n\n \n\nComplete 15-Player Sri Lanka Squad\n\nThe complete squad representing Sri Lanka at the tournament comprises the following players\n\n• Chamari Athapaththu (Captain)\n\n• Harshitha Samarawickrama (Vice-Captain)\n\n• Imesha Dulani\n\n• Sanjana Kavindi\n\n• Vishmi Gunaratne\n\n• Kavisha Dilhari\n\n• Nilakshika Silva\n\n• Hasini Perera\n\n• Kaushini Nuthyangana (Wicketkeeper)\n\n• Dewmi Vihanga\n\n• Sugandika Kumari\n\n• Chamodi Praboda\n\n• Chetana Vimukthi\n\n• Kawya Kavindi\n\n• Mitali Ayodhya\n\nWhat this means for you\nFor Cricket Fans: The announcement sets up intense competition as defending champions Sri Lanka prepare to defend their Asian title with a revitalized squad.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. When does the Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 start?\nThe Women's T20 Asia Cup 2026 is scheduled to start on August 28, 2026.\n\n2. Who is leading Sri Lanka in the tournament?\nChamari Athapaththu will captain Sri Lanka, with Harshitha Samarawickrama serving as the vice-captain.\n\n3. Which group is Sri Lanka placed in for Asia Cup 2026?\nSri Lanka is placed in Group B alongside Bangladesh, Indonesia, and host nation UAE.\n\n4. When is Sri Lanka's opening match in the Asia Cup?\nSri Lanka will play their first match on August 29, 2026, against the host nation UAE.\n\n5. Which player received her maiden T20 call-up in Sri Lanka's squad?\nLeg-spinner Dewmi Vihanga has been included in Sri Lanka's national T20 squad for the first time.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/cricket/chamari-athapaththu-karengi-sri-lanka-ka-netritva-mahila-t20-asia-cup-2026-ke-lie-15-sadasyiya-tima-ghoshita-16383",
  "category": "Cricket",
  "publishedAt": "2026-08-13",
  "tags": [
    "Womens T20 Asia Cup 2026",
    "Sri Lanka Cricket",
    "Chamari Athapaththu",
    "Dewmi Vihanga",
    "Sanjana Kavindi",
    "Mitali Ayodhya",
    "Womens Cricket"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}