Since 2017, Chamari has literally become a globetrotting cricketer in the current era, featuring in the now-defunct Kia Super League and Women\u2019s T20 Challenge, as well as in the Women\u2019s Big Bash League, Women\u2019s Caribbean Premier League, FairBreak Invitational, and Women\u2019s Super Smash.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite the many opportunities to compete in T20 leagues and her remarkable performance for Sri Lanka in international cricket, Chamari was initially not picked for the 2023 WBBL and 2024 WPL. Later on, Sydney Thunder later recruited her as a replacement player for 2023 WBBL.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chamari would go on to light up the tournament, making 511 runs at an average of 42.58. She finished at second place in the regular season run-scoring list and took nine wickets with her off-spin bowling at an economy rate of 6.79 to claim the Player of the Tournament award.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With England pacer Lauren Bell pulling out of WPL 2024 to make herself available for England\u2019s tour of New Zealand, the UP Warriorz were quick to rope in Chamari for the tournament happening from February 23 to March 17. According to Chamari, playing in various T20 leagues has played a huge role in her evolution as a cricketer, on and off the field.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThese leagues are important, not just for me, but also for all cricketers around the world. Some people think these leagues are all about the money, but it is not like that. We can share our knowledge and culture with other players. Like, I can share the same dressing room with the world\u2019s best cricketers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI learn a lot of things from them and share my knowledge with them as well. It\u2019s a really good opportunity in world cricket by various boards to organise T20 leagues in women\u2019s cricket. It is going to be a good thing for the future of women\u2019s cricket around the world. I hope every country continues with these things and I do hope Sri Lanka will organise a new league for women\u2019s as well in the future,\u201d said Chamari in reply to a query from IANS question in a virtual interaction organised by the franchise.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Chamari believes that adapting her game to the conditions ahead of a specific tournament is crucial for her, especially with WPL 2024 scheduled to take place in Bengaluru and New Delhi. \u201cI have been playing international cricket for more than 15-16 years. So, I have the experience to adjust to various conditions. I always try to play my natural game and always keep it simple, which is my method.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I don\u2019t like to think a lot; I just keep it simple and assess the conditions because Australia had good pace and bounce, which is different as compared to New Zealand and Sri Lanka. So, I do know how to adjust to conditions \u2013 like change my batting stance, backlift and little bit more changes I make. But I always try to play my natural game freely and the approach to play positively is very important.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
When Chamari didn\u2019t find any takers at the WPL 2024 player auction in Mumbai, there was huge surprise amongst the teams and pundits of the game. Chamari acknowledged feeling surprised but not shocked by being overlooked by all five franchises in the auction.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I was not shocked, but I was surprised that they didn\u2019t pick me at the auction. These things are not in my control. I don\u2019t want to put too much pressure on my shoulders, because such decisions are taken by the coaches and people in the management. I only think about what I can control. I can control my batting and my bowling. I take these decisions in good spirits and try to do my best. If someone asks me if I can come (and play for the team), I am ready. If someone requests, I can accept their request.\"<\/p>\r\n\r\n
In situations like this, the explosive left-handed batter uses rejection as motivation to prove others wrong. \"Actually, rejection is a kind of motivation for me. It is good for me, because I can learn from (that) rejection and show what I can do. My philosophy is that if someone says something cannot be done, I want to be the first one to do it. I always want to prove what I can do.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\"I got an opportunity (to play) in WBBL at the last minute, as a replacement player, and I grabbed that opportunity with both hands. I showed everyone there what I can do. The Sydney Thunder management also helped me. I am a team player \u2013 I want to do good for my team, everywhere I go. I am now waiting for WPL. Let\u2019s see what I can do,\" she said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
At UP Warriorz, Chamari will face stiff competition from captain Alyssa Healy, Danni Wyatt, Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris and Sophie Ecclestone to be amongst the four overseas players in the playing eleven. Last year, the Warriorz had a similar situation, leading to an accomplished speedster like South Africa\u2019s Shabnim Ismail being on the sidelines for most of the competition.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
If she gets a place in the starting eleven, Chamari will become the first Sri Lanka player to be a part of the WPL. While she has received acclaim as an opener, Chamari expressed her flexibility to bat at any position within the team.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI do know that only four overseas players can play in the eleven. I know Alyssa Healy is an opener, my favourite Danni Wyatt is also an opener. Even Tahlia McGrath can open, Grace Harris opens for Brisbane Heat (in the WBBL).<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe have to adjust, and the most important thing is the (requirement of the) team, and everything comes secondary. If the coaches and team need me to bat at any position, I am happy to bat anywhere between numbers one to six. I can do anything for my team; I am not looking to just bat at one place as I am always a team player,\" Chamari said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n", "image": "https:\/\/img.cricketnmore.com\/uploads\/2024\/02\/t20-leagues-are-not-just-about-money-learning-sharing-knowledge-is-key-chamari-athapaththu.jpg", "alt_img": "T20 leagues are not just about money; learning & sharing knowledge is key: Chamari Athapaththu", "alt_title": "Chamari Athapaththu", "image1": null, "video": null, "seo_title": "T20 Leagues Are Not Just About Money; Learning & Sharing Knowledge Is Key: Chamari Athapaththu On Cricketnmore", "seo_desc": "T20 Leagues Are Not Just About Money; Learning & Sharing Knowledge Is Key: Chamari Athapaththu, Kia Super League: In the franchise T20 world of women\u2019s cricket, Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu has been the first.", "seo_keywords": "Chamari Athapaththu, New Delhi, Sri Lanka, Kia Super League, T20 Challenge, Big Bash League, Caribbean Premier League, FairBreak Invitational, Super Smash, Sydney Thunder, With England, Lauren Bell, New Zealand, UP Warriorz, When Chamari, The Sydney", "tag": "", "tagging": "Chamari Athapaththu, New Delhi, Sri Lanka, Kia Super League, T20 Challenge, Big Bash League, Caribbean Premier League, FairBreak Invitational, Super Smash, Sydney Thunder, With England, Lauren Bell, New Zealand, UP Warriorz, When Chamari, The Sydney", "status": "1", "img_rpt": "0", "google": "1", "standout": "0", "edapps": "0", "pulse": "0", "no_index": "0", "feed": "0", "fixture": null, "slug": "t20-leagues-are-not-just-about-money-learning-sharing-knowledge-is-key-chamari-athapaththu", "user_id": "0", "read_count": "0", "ians_date": null, "ians_time": null, "server_time": null, "trash": "0", "view_count": "758", "page_break": "0", "instant_articles": "1", "auto_link": "1", "created": "2024-02-07 11:56:03", "updated": "2024-02-07 11:56:03", "img_from": "Image Source: IANS", "img_source": null, "schedule_publish": null, "news_keywords": "Chamari Athapaththu, New Delhi, Sri Lanka, Kia Super League, T20 Challenge, Big Bash League, Caribbean Premier League, FairBreak Invitational, Super Smash, Sydney Thunder, With England, Lauren Bell, New Zealand, UP Warriorz, When Chamari, The Sydney", "livescore_text": null, "livescore_link": null, "btn_text": null, "resend_feed": "1", "google_feed": "1", "read_more": "0", "posted_by": "23", "jio_date": "2024-02-07 11:56:03", "scheduled": "0", "news_now": "1", "breaking_news": "1", "google_date": null, "featured": "0", "pred_match_id": null, "article_content_type": null, "link": "https:\/\/www.cricketnmore.com\/cricket-news\/t20-leagues-are-not-just-about-money-learning-sharing-knowledge-is-key-chamari-athapaththu-137688" }