I'm a failure as captain: Chamari Athapaththu after Sri Lanka face early exit threat
Chamari Athapaththu was left emotional as Sri Lanka suffered a five-wicket defeat to the West Indies, leaving their Women's T20 World Cup campaign on the brink of an early exit. Athapaththu said she felt like a 'failure as captain' for not guiding Sri Lanka to a World Cup semi.
Chamari Athapaththu was visibly distraught as Sri Lanka face the risk of an early exit from the Women’s T20 World Cup. On Sunday, Sri Lanka suffered a five-wicket defeat to the West Indies after being bowled out for just 98.
While they registered a memorable win against New Zealand, their performances against England and the Caribbean side have been underwhelming. Athapaththu has been a mainstay of the Sri Lanka team and has often carried the side almost single-handedly since making her debut in 2009.
She officially took over the captaincy from Shashikala Siriwardene in 2014 and has since led Sri Lanka in 69 ODIs and 114 T20Is. Despite over a decade in charge, Sri Lanka have not managed to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup.
‘I TRIED MY BEST’
Reflecting on her journey, Athapaththu admitted that while she has achieved a great deal individually, she feels she has been a failure as captain.
"Actually, it’s a sadness beyond words. 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. Even though I have achieved many things personally, I think I’m a failure as a captain, because I think that’s big pain for a player,” Athapaththu said after the match.
“Actually, now I have to be with that pain. I think I tried my best, I think I should have played more responsible than this and if I have played more responsible than this today, we could have won this match today,” Athapaththu said.
"So, I regret that. Especially I don’t like to blame anyone and I think I have more responsibility as a player, as the captain of the team and as a player with more experience. So, I’m very sad, I feel like I lost my last chance,” Athapaththu added.
Athapaththu has not been in impressive form in the ongoing World Cup, scoring just 33 runs across three matches at an average of 11. Sri Lanka will aim to keep their campaign alive when they face Gaby Lewis’ Ireland on Tuesday, June 23, at the County Ground in Bristol.
Chamari Athapaththu was visibly distraught as Sri Lanka face the risk of an early exit from the Women’s T20 World Cup. On Sunday, Sri Lanka suffered a five-wicket defeat to the West Indies after being bowled out for just 98.
While they registered a memorable win against New Zealand, their performances against England and the Caribbean side have been underwhelming. Athapaththu has been a mainstay of the Sri Lanka team and has often carried the side almost single-handedly since making her debut in 2009.
She officially took over the captaincy from Shashikala Siriwardene in 2014 and has since led Sri Lanka in 69 ODIs and 114 T20Is. Despite over a decade in charge, Sri Lanka have not managed to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup.
‘I TRIED MY BEST’
Reflecting on her journey, Athapaththu admitted that while she has achieved a great deal individually, she feels she has been a failure as captain.
"Actually, it’s a sadness beyond words. 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. Even though I have achieved many things personally, I think I’m a failure as a captain, because I think that’s big pain for a player,” Athapaththu said after the match.
“Actually, now I have to be with that pain. I think I tried my best, I think I should have played more responsible than this and if I have played more responsible than this today, we could have won this match today,” Athapaththu said.
"So, I regret that. Especially I don’t like to blame anyone and I think I have more responsibility as a player, as the captain of the team and as a player with more experience. So, I’m very sad, I feel like I lost my last chance,” Athapaththu added.
Athapaththu has not been in impressive form in the ongoing World Cup, scoring just 33 runs across three matches at an average of 11. Sri Lanka will aim to keep their campaign alive when they face Gaby Lewis’ Ireland on Tuesday, June 23, at the County Ground in Bristol.
