Chamari Athapaththu Makes History as First Sri Lankan to Lead Women’s ODI Rankings – By eLanka
Chamari Athapaththu, the captain of the Sri Lankan women’s cricket team, has achieved a remarkable feat by claiming the top spot in the women’s ODI rankings for batters. Her exceptional performances in the series against New Zealand propelled her six places higher, surpassing Australia’s Beth Mooney to become the first Sri Lankan woman to achieve this milestone.
Athapaththu’s outstanding display began with an unbeaten knock of 108 runs in the first ODI against New Zealand. In a rain-affected match, she steered Sri Lanka to victory while chasing down a target of 172 runs. Although she was dismissed for a duck in the second match, which New Zealand won, she rebounded in spectacular fashion in the third game. Athapaththu unleashed a breathtaking innings, smashing an incredible 140 runs off just 80 deliveries, securing another rain-hit victory and ultimately clinching the series.
With this achievement, Athapaththu’s tally of ODI centuries has reached eight, accompanied by 15 half-centuries. Her rise to the top caused a shuffle in the rankings, as Mooney, Laura Wolvaardt, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Meg Lanning, Harmanpreet Kaur, and Smriti Mandhana each dropped one spot to accommodate Athapaththu’s ascent from seventh place.
This historic moment for Athapaththu draws comparisons to Sanath Jayasuriya, the only Sri Lankan man to have reached the summit of the ODI batting rankings. As a left-handed opener, she now emulates his achievement in the women’s game.
Athapaththu’s whirlwind knock in the third ODI against New Zealand also etched her name in the record books. She partnered with Nilakshi de Silva to amass a staggering 190 runs for the third wicket, marking the highest partnership ever recorded by Sri Lanka in women’s ODIs. Her heroics played a vital role in securing Sri Lanka’s first-ever bilateral series win against New Zealand.
Chamari Athapaththu’s incredible rise to the top of the women’s ODI rankings serves as an inspiration for aspiring cricketers in Sri Lanka and beyond. Her remarkable achievements on the field and record-breaking performances have etched her name in the annals of women’s cricket, solidifying her status as one of the game’s finest batters.
