'Want to play my best game' - Chamari Athapaththu sets goal for Tri-series final against India

Sri Lanka Women finished second on the points table after their round-robin campaign of the ongoing Women's ODI Tri-Series, and will meet India Women in the final on Sunday, May 11. The hosts will be entering the game on the back of a 76-run defeat to South Africa Women at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Sri Lankan skipper, Chamari Athapaththu, dissected her side's performance in their final round-robin game of the tournament.

"We bowled really well in the first 25 overs, we struggled in the next 25 overs, we struggled as a bowling unit, and we dropped many catches. That cost us. Our batters played well in the last two games, I hope they perform in the same way in the final," shared Athapaththu during the post-match presentation.

The batting all-rounder hoped for a better performance from her side and herself during their upcoming clash against India at the same venue.

"We have to adjust to these conditions, we can't predict the toss. No pressure. We have to play our best game. We know India is a good team, but I want to play my best game in the final," added the left-hander.

Athapaththu conceded 70 runs in her 10-over quota (2/70) in the first innings before returning to stroke her 18th half-century (52 off 57) in the format. However, her all-round showing wasn't enough to secure the win as a 112-run stand between Annerie Dercksen (104 off 84) and Chloe Tryon (74 off 51) rescued the Proteas' ship in the first innings. Later, Tryon's five-wicket haul (5/34 in eight overs, including a hattrick) blew away the home side.

Sri Lanka will take on India at the Premadasa in what will be their third meeting in the tournament. Both sides have won a game each against each other. India won the first fixture by nine wickets with 56 deliveries remaining before Sri Lanka avenged their loss with a three-wicket win with five balls to spare.