Women's World Cup: Shock to Sri Lanka, key player injured while batting

Colombo, October 17 (IANS). The Sri Lankan team suffered a major setback in the midst of the Women’s World Cup 2025. Opener Vishmi Gunaratne was injured in the 18th match at the R Premadasa Stadium, after which she had to retire hurt and leave the field. After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Sri Lankan team scored 16 runs without losing any wicket in 4 overs of play. Vishmi Gunaratne hit a four on the first ball of Marijan Kapp’s third over, after which the next two balls were dots. The opener injured his left knee at the non-striker’s end while taking a run on the fourth ball. Vishmi was seen in a lot of pain. The physio immediately reached the field. During this time Vishmi could hardly move. Finally he had to leave the field. Co-host Sri Lankan team will be hoping to win this important match at home. This team has not achieved a single victory in four games so far. This team is present on the seventh position in the standings. At the same time, South Africa won three out of four matches. This team is third in the standings after achieving a hat-trick of wins. South Africa will aim to reach the semi-finals with a win, while the Sri Lankan team will want to keep alive its hopes of reaching the next round with a win. The Sri Lankan team entered this match without any changes. Under the captaincy of Chamri Athapaththu are Vishmi Gunaratne, Hasini Perera, Harshita Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Neelakshi de Silva, Anushka Sanjeevani (wicketkeeper), Piyumi Vatsala Badalge, Sugandhika Kumari, Malki Madra and Inoka Ranaweera given a chance. On the other hand, the playing eleven of the South African team under the captaincy of Laura Wolvaardt includes Tajmin Brits, Sune Luus, Aneri Derksen, Marizanne Kapp, Karabo Maceo (wicketkeeper), Chloe Tryon, Nadine de Klerk, Nondumiso Shangase, Masbat Klaas and Nonkululeko Mlaba. –IANS RSG