Inoka Ranaweera joins Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup squad

The Sri Lankan women’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad has been announced, with 38-year-old left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera selected to start ahead of 21-year-old seamer Kawya Kavindi. Ranaweera was not included in Sri Lanka’s roster for the women’s Asia Cup, which they won in July. More recently, she had not been included in Sri Lanka’s squads to travel to Ireland.

She has not been very effective this year in the shortest format, but she still has 91 T20I wickets from 82 matches for Sri Lanka, with an economy rate of 5.86.

However, as the UAE’s T20 World Cup will probably be held on wickets that suit spin, the seasoned Inoka Ranaweera has been called up.

But with Kavindi left out of the World Cup team, Sri Lanka’s seam-bowling options are now limited to Udeshika Prabodhani, Achini Kulasuriya, and Ama Kanchana.

Their spin cabinet is more stocked. Inoshi Priyadharshani, Sugandika Kumari, and Kavisha Dilhari are joined by Ranaweera; each of them could have an impact on the campaign. Additionally, there’s always Captain Chamari Athapaththu’s offspin.

Sri Lanka’s batting team has never appeared more formidable. The likes of Harshitha Samarawickrama and eighteen-year-old Vishmi Gunaratne have also been among the runs in recent months, in addition to their talisman Athapaththu. They will feel more confident after winning the Asia Cup and be able to challenge for a spot in the T20 World Cup final four.

Also Read: Chamari Athapaththu: The women’s T20 World Cup is crucial for us to leave our imprint on the  global stage

October 3 is when the World Cup is supposed to kick off. For the first round, Sri Lanka is in Group A with Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, and India.

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