Chamari Athapaththu, the star player for UP Warriorz (UPW), is set to leave the Women’s Premier League (WPL) early to join Sri Lanka on a white-ball tour of New Zealand starting March 4 in Napier. Her departure comes as a big blow for UPW, who are already missing their full-time captain Alyssa Healy due to injury.
As of now, Athapaththu is expected to play four more games for UPW until February 26 before she heads off for national duties. The team will then travel to Lucknow for the final league phase of the tournament, playing three home matches. In their previous game against Gujarat Giants, Athapaththu was left out of the XI in a match that ended in a loss for UPW.
Athapaththu has been named the captain of Sri Lanka’s 16-member squad for the upcoming tour to New Zealand, with the team set to depart on February 22 for a series of three ODIs and as many T20Is. Interestingly, allrounder Amelia Kerr, the only New Zealand player in the WPL this season, will be missing the bilateral series to participate in the entire WPL, provided Mumbai Indians qualify for the knockouts.
In the past, conflicts between WPL and international series have caused players like England’s Heather Knight and Lauren Bell to opt out of the league entirely. However, boards like the ECB have now taken steps to avoid such clashes, ensuring that international games do not overlap with major T20 leagues like the WPL. The calendar for women’s cricket is set to be restructured, with the WPL moving to a new window from January-February 2026 onwards, according to the new women’s Future Tours Programme (FTP).
The adjustments in scheduling aim to prevent conflicts and provide players with opportunities to participate in both international and domestic leagues without having to choose between the two. This shift reflects the growing popularity and importance of women’s cricket around the world, highlighting the need for strategic planning and coordination between various cricketing boards.
In conclusion, the evolving landscape of women’s cricket presents challenges and opportunities for players, teams, and governing bodies alike. As the sport continues to gain momentum and recognition on a global scale, it is crucial for stakeholders to work together to ensure that players have the chance to showcase their talent on multiple platforms without compromising their commitments. The future of women’s cricket is bright, with exciting developments on the horizon for players like Chamari Athapaththu and Amelia Kerr.
