17-year-old ambidextrous spinner Gimhani named in Sri Lanka squad

Wednesday, 17 December 2025 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Shashini Gimhani with Sri Lanka Women’s Captain Chamari Athapaththu

Five-match Women’s T20I series against India

Ambidextrous 17-year-old spinner Shashini Gimhani has been named in Sri Lanka women’s 15-member squad for the five-match WT20I series in India later this month.

Gimhani, who delivers wrist spin with either arms is one of several changes that has taken place with Sri Lanka naming a young squad for the upcoming series. Kawya Kavindi, the 23-year-old seamer, 19-year-old seamer Rashmika Sewwandi and uncapped 26-year-old left-arm spinner Nimasha Madushani also make it into the squad which has no place for seniors like wicketkeeper-batter Anushka Sanjeewani (35), who has played 86 WT20Is, Udeshika Prabodhani (40) 106 WT20Is, Sugandika Kumari (34) 88 WT20Is and Achini Kulasuriya (35) 40 WT20Is, who had all been part of the squad for the team’s most recent T20I assignment, the tour of New Zealand in March this year.

Chamari Athapaththu leads the side and has some experienced hands in her ranks for the series like spinner Inoka Ranaweera, 39, alongside a top order that has now had significant exposure at the top level. There is a drive within the squad to blood younger players as the team builds towards next year’s T20 World Cup in England.

Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Nilakshika de Silva, and Kavisha Dilhari – all of whom played significant roles in the recent ODI World Cup – are in this squad. Kaushini Nuthyangana is likely to take the gloves in Sanjeewani’s absence.

The five-match T20I series begins in Visakhapatnam on 21 December, before moving to Thiruvananthapuram for the last two games.

SRI LANKA WOMEN’S T20I SQUAD

Chamari Athapaththu (Captain), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama (Vice-Captain), Nilakshika de Silva, Kavisha Dilhari. Imesha Dulani, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Malsha Shehani, Inoka Ranaweera, Shashini Gimhani, Nimesha Madushani, Kawya Kavindi, Rashmika Sewwandi, Malki Madara