'I think I'm a failure as a captain' - Chamari Athapaththu expresses sorrow after Sri Lanka's defeat to West Indies in Women's T20 World Cup 2026

Sri Lanka's talismanic captain Chamari Athapaththu cut a disappointed figure on Sunday, June 21, after Sri Lanka were outplayed by the West Indies at the County Ground in Bristol in a crucial Women's T20 World Cup 2026 clash. The Asian side was bowled out for just 98 in 19.4 overs before the team from the Caribbean romped home with five wickets and 23 balls to spare.

Sri Lanka suffered their second defeat in three matches and are currently placed at No. 5 in Group B, just above Ireland, who have already been eliminated. While they are not out of contention yet, Athapaththu called herself a failure as a captain, sensing that she might not be able to take her team beyond the group stage once again.

"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. Actually, now I have to be with that pain," the opening batter was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

Athapaththu was dismissed by her opposite number, Hayley Matthews, in the third over after only scoring two runs off six balls. The Gokarella-born admitted that she should have played more responsibly. She feels she has lost her last opportunity to take her team to the knockouts.

"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. 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," she said.

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The next edition of the Women's T20 World Cup is set to be played in Pakistan in 2028. Athapaththu said she is 36 years old now and will try to work on her physical fitness to give herself the best chance of participating.

"For now, I can't give any explanation about that, because with my age, now I'm 36 years old. So, with fitness and all, that's being decided. So, I try my best to keep my physical fitness in a good level, and to keep my skills in a high level. If the team wants, I will play in the future, but with my performance level and fitness level, it will be decided if I play or not," she added.