Sri Lanka captain pinpoints key India batter and explains why both teams are struggling

Match Centre and Scorecard

Sri Lanka’s opening-day loss to Pakistan left them on the back foot in a competitive Group A, which was compounded by a defeat to defending champions Australia. And captain Athapaththu knows her team need to rediscover their best form, and quickly, starting on Wednesday against India in Dubai.

Sri Lanka’s opponents India are also in huge need of a win having slipped to a demoralising loss against New Zealand in their first game of the tournament, and Athapaththu says that India’s struggles are partly down to the playing conditions.

“I know India are a good team, they have good batters, but I feel Shafali (Verma), Smriti (Mandhana) and all have struggled because of the low bounce and the pace,” she said in a press conference on Tuesday.

“I think the key player is Jemimah (Rodrigues). She's so good with these tracks compared to other batters.

“We have a few plans for the Indian batters. Harman (Harmanpreet Kaur) got some runs in last game, so I feel her adaptation is really good compared to first game. So, big challenge.

“We have to execute our right plan right time. That's the most important thing.”

India do have points on the board after beating neighbours Pakistan in their second Group A fixture, but that match also saw the highly-rated batting lineup struggle to click into gear on the surface.

And Sri Lanka’s batters have had similar difficulties letting loose, with Athapaththu saying her team need to adjust and play with no fear in Wednesday’s crunch game.

“I think both teams struggle because the India team is so good with good pace and bounce and even my team. Because we don't have big arms, big bodies to hit the ball so hard, we need some kind of pace and support from the wicket because we are really good with timing the ball compared to other teams.

“So, I feel both teams are struggling, but I know that tomorrow’s game is really crucial for India and Sri Lanka as well.

“The best team will win and if we can keep it simple - method is easy. It’s big pressure on that game for the both teams, but our team has nothing to lose.

“In the last 12, 15 months, we beat the Indian team only once or twice … so we are going (with the) underdog tags all the time. And I want to play my best cricket and fearless cricket all the time.”

Sri Lanka have failed to reach three figures in either of their matches so far, and Atapaththu says that her team have looked at some technical factors to improve, using South Africa as inspiration.

“I said we have to rethink and adaptation is most important. And we have to ask from each and every one why we can't play that cricket. I think I saw South African adjust to these conditions really good.

“I talk with my teammates and they have good plans. The important thing is how we play, one ball one time. That's the most important thing.

“If we take too much pressure on our shoulders, if we take too much information, it's too hard to play cricket.

“So, we have to keep it simple, and we have to play our fearless cricket. That's the most important thing.”

Even a win might not be sufficient for either side in the final group shake-up, with net run rate a factor that could come into the equation.

India came in for some criticism in not looking to improve their NRR in the successful run chase against Pakistan, but Athapaththu says she understands India’s approach, and expects a similar mindset on Wednesday.

“I know run rate is important, but I don't think they are trying too many things. I think they just want to win the game and take two points. That's the most important thing.

“They have another game after this, so I think they need points rather than run rate. I don't think they will try so many things in the middle. They just want to play their basic cricket and they want a win.”

Remaining fixtures in Group A

India v Sri Lanka – Wednesday 9 October (18:00 local time), Dubai International Cricket Stadium

Australia v Pakistan – Friday 11 October (18:00 local time), Dubai International Cricket Stadium

New Zealand v Sri Lanka – Saturday 12 October (14:00 local time), Sharjah Cricket Stadium

India v Australia – Sunday 13 October (18:00 local time), Sharjah Cricket Stadium

Pakistan v New Zealand – Monday 14 October (18:00 local time), Dubai International Cricket Stadium