‘I Feel Like a Failure’: Chamari Athapaththu’s Emotional Confession After World Cup Heartbreak

Chamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer, called herself “a failure as a captain.” This came after her team’s crushing defeat to West Indies in the Women’s T20 World Cup.

Sri Lanka batted first and collapsed for just 98 runs. Athapaththu herself made only 2. West Indies chased the target with five wickets and 23 balls to spare. The loss left Sri Lanka fifth out of six teams in Group 2. Their hopes of a semi-final spot are now hanging by a thread.

The 36-year-old did not hide her emotions after the game. “Actually, it’s a sadness beyond words,” she said. “I think I played around 18 years for the national team and I could never get a chance to take my team into a semi-final of a World Cup.”

She added, “Even though I have achieved many things personally, I think I’m a failure as a captain. I think that’s a big pain for a player. Now I have to live with that pain.”

Athapaththu blamed no one but herself. She felt she should have taken more responsibility.

“I should have played more responsible than this. I regret that. I don’t like to blame anyone. I have more responsibility as the captain and as a senior player.”

This is her tenth T20 World Cup. The next one is in Pakistan in 2028. She turns 38 by then.

Will she be there? She isn’t sure. “For now, I can’t give any explanation about that,” she said. “With my age, fitness will decide. If the team wants, I will play. But my performance and fitness will decide.”

Sri Lanka have two games left against Ireland and Scotland. They must win both. Even then, they need other results to go their way.

It is a tough task. But for Athapaththu, this might be her final chance to lead her team to a World Cup semi-final.

It is a dream she has carried for nearly two decades. And watching it slip away, one can only feel for her.

                                               

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