Chamari Athapaththu finally gets WPL deal, replaces Lauren Bell at UP Warriorz

In a recent development, Women’s Premier League outfit UP Warrioz which finished 3rd in the league table during the inaugural edition last year, has announced the arrival of Sri Lanka’s big-hitting captain Chamari Athapaththu into the team after their England-born pacer Lauren Bell withdrew from the 2nd edition of WPL, which is slated to start from February 23 onwards.

Chamari Athapaththu is among the most dangerous batting prospects in the world in women’s cricket who shockingly remained unsold during the WPL auction held last November. But with the recent setback for UP Warriorz which has come in the form of Lauren Bell’s absence, the Sri Lankan captain has been signed by them for INR 30 Lakh.

It is unknown as to why Lauren Bell has decided to miss the 2nd WPL season but as the saying goes, “someone’s loss is someone’s gain” and that’s what exactly has transpired with Athapaththu who should have actually went for any franchise during the auctions itself.

In the build up to the player auction, she was among those players that were being backed to land a handsome contract but everyone was left baffled when Chamari Athapaththu did not find any suitors. That was total injustice to the caliber and talent she possess which has helped her become one of the most destructive batters in women’s cricket.

The 33-year-old was named as the ICC Women’s ODI cricketer of 2023 yesterday and within just 24 hour, the news related to her WPL contract with UP Warriorz came. Now that’s sheer justice and a perfect reward of the hard work she has been putting for all these years.

“I’m feeling so happy and proud. You know I have a big dream so I acheived that dream finally so I’m happy. Sometimes levelling up is about improving, not impressing. So I want to keep doing my best for my country all the time. This one is really important for my life and my cricket career becaue I dream a lot. I sacrificed a lot of things to achieve this award.” – Athapaththu said after winning ICC Women’s ODI player of the year.

She has been a part of a number of T20 franchises around the world like the Guyana Amazon Warriors Women, Melbourne Renegades Women, Perth Scorchers Women and Sydney Thunders Women. Athapaththu was also a part of the Supernovas team which was one of the three teams founded in Women’s T20 challenge, the previous format of WPL.

Chamari Athapaththu’s International Figures Suggest UP Warriorz Have Got Themselves A Gem

Sri Lanka Women’s Captain, Chamari Athapaththu, stands as a formidable player in the women’s cricketing circuit thanks to her exceptional power-hitting prowess and relentless aggression. Having amassed a staggering 3255 runs in 98 ODIs at an impressive average of 34.26, she boasts an impressive record featuring 8 centuries and 15 fifties, with a remarkable best score of 178*.

In the T20 format, Athapaththu’s explosive batting has yielded 2651 runs, maintaining a striking strike rate of 106.20. This includes a century and 8 half-centuries, showcasing her ability to dominate and reshape the game with her dynamic and impactful performances.