15-year-old teen sensation Shashini Gimhani set to make history

Sri Lanka Women’s teen spinner Shashini Gimhani and former South African spinner Paul Adams

• Paul Adams of Sri Lanka on the cusp of becoming her country’s youngest international debutant

By Sa’adi Thawfeeq

One name that made the headlines when the 15-member Sri Lanka Women’s team for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier in Abu Dhabi was announced, was that of 15-year-old teen spin sensation Shashini Gimhani.

A product of Devapathiraja College, Rathgama, Gimhani caught the imagination of everyone with her exceptional left-arm wrist spin in the recently concluded Under-19 Women’s Tri-Series involving Sri Lanka, England and Australia where she showcased her talent in Hambantota and Galle capturing seven wickets in the T20 and 50-over formats against stronger opponents. 

The figures were not so startling as to deserve a call-up to the national team, but because of the air of mystery that surrounded her bowling which baffled her opponents.

“We decided to include her because she bowled really well in the Tri-Series and during our local tournaments,” said Sri Lanka Women’s head selector Hemantha Devapriya. “We were thinking out of the box and we are taking a chance with her. If it clicks, she will be very handy for Sri Lanka women’s cricket.”

“She can be a match winner for Sri Lanka in the Qualifiers because we are not playing the top five teams. The Captain Chamari (Athapaththu) and Coach Rumesh (Ratnayake) were very keen to have her in the side after seeing her at practice.”

What is so unique about Gimhani is that she can bowl equally well with both hands – left-arm wrist spin and right-arm leg-spin.

“She is a rare breed. Her bowling action is God given. It’s a natural action not from the book, so it’s very difficult to read her. She is some sort of a mystery bowler. Today’s concept is that such bowlers take wickets in T20 matches,” said a former Sri Lanka wicket-keeper and dashing batsman Devapriya.

Gimhani’s bowling action is something akin to that of former South African spinner Paul Adams whose action was described as a “frog in a blender”, but not quite. Unlike Adams, Gimhani at the point of delivery has a better view of the batter.

“I’ve known this girl for 11 years. Some have tried to change her bowling action but I advised not to, but to allow her to bowl her natural way. If she gains confidence and develops her intelligence, she is going to be very handy,” Devapariya said.

Gimhani is the only player selected to the national team from the Sri Lanka Under19 Women’s squad and is in the cusp of becoming the youngest player to represent her country in the women’s national team if she gets an opportunity to play in the Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier that will be held in Abu Dhabi from 25 April to 7 May.

The youngest player for Sri Lanka women so far is right-handed batter Vishmi Gunaratne at the age of 16 years and 149 days when he debuted in a Women’s T20I in 2022. Gimhani who is currently 15 years, 131 days could break that record and etch her name in the record books.

Sri Lanka Women’s team for T20 World Cup Global Qualifier

Captain Chamari Athapaththu, Vishmi Gunaratne, Nilakshi de Silva, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Hasini Perera, Anushka Sanjeewani, Udeshika Prabodhani, Inoka Ranaweera, Achini Kulasuriya, Hansima Karunaratne, Kawya Kavindi, Inoshi Fernando, Sugandika Kumari, Sashini Gimhani.