Finally the chance has arrived for Chamari Athapaththu to feature in Women’s Premier League (WPL). After not being picked in the drafts for WPL 2023 and being unsold in WPL 2024 Auction, she has been picked by UP Warriorz. The Sri Lankan skipper has been named as a replacement for Lauren Bell who pulled out of the tournament.
Chamari Athapaththu has been in sensational form in the 2023 Calendar year. With mighty knocks in the Women’s Big Bash she was one of the favorites in WPL 2024 auction. But no team decided to cash in on the star batter. Owing to her red hot form in ODIs, she won the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer award.
“English fast bowler Lauren Bell has withdrawn from the upcoming season of the TATA Women’s Premier League 2024. UP Warriorz have named Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu as a replacement for Bell,” the Women’s Premier League said in their statement.
WPL Dream Comes True At Last
The Lankan skipper despite numerous snubs will get a taste of WPL action. She has been bought by the UP outfits for her base price of 30 lakhs. The star all-rounder won her ICC award after accumulating 415 runs and 1 wicket in 8 matches in 2023.
“It is unfortunate that Lauren won’t be a part of our squad this season but we wish her the best for the summer. That said, We are very excited to bring Chamari Athapaththu on board with the UP Warriorz. She has been a stalwart of T20I cricket for over a decade and we look forward to bringing her on board with us. She has been a great ambassador for women’s cricket all over the world, and we are delighted to have her experience and knowhow among our ranks this season,” said Kshemal Waingankar, COO, UP Warriorz.
“I am grateful to the UP Warriorz and Capri Sports for choosing to put their faith in me for the upcoming season of the Women’s Premier League. I look forward to giving my best to the team and working closely with head coach Jon Lewis and skipper Alyssa Healy and help my team lift the coveted title. The WPL is a very dynamic tournament, and the UP Warriorz is a strong squad,” the Sri Lankan all-rounder said.
UP Warriorz will begin their WPL 2024 campaign when they take on Royal Challengers Bangalore on 24th February at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
UP Warriorz Full Squad for WPL 2024: Alyssa Healy, Anjali Sarvani, Deepti Sharma, Grace Harris, Kiran Navgire, Chamari Athapaththu, Laxmi Yadav, Parshavi Chopra, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, S. Yashasri, Shweta Sehrawat, Sophie Ecclestone, Tahlia Mcgrath, Dani Wyatt, Vrinda Dinesh, Saima Thakor, Poonam Khemnar, Gouher Sultana.
