Carrying the torch: Harshitha Samarawickrama ushers in Sri Lanka’s new era

Teams shaped by legends often find transition slower than change, and Sri Lanka women’s cricket side is no different. Chamari Athapaththu continues to be the heartbeat of the outfit, but in her shadow, Harshitha Samarawickrama has grown in stature, refining her craft and emerging as a leader-in-waiting.

On Sunday, she’ll walk into the upcoming five-match T20I series against India as one of the side’s most reliable batters. She is among the few Sri Lankan women to score over 1,000 runs in both white-ball formats and has become a senior figure younger teammates instinctively turn to.

Soft-spoken but driven, the 27-year-old is a captivating presence at the crease. Her slight frame belies the authority of her stance. Quick movements, sharp hands and assured strokeplay blend seamlessly, allowing her to anchor innings, shift momentum, and carry Sri Lanka into contention more often than not.

Her defining moment arrived at the 2024 Women’s T20 Asia Cup. Before a packed home crowd in Dambulla, Harshitha produced the innings of her career, guiding Sri Lanka past India to secure the nation’s first title in the tournament.

Early inspirations and cricketing roots

A decade ago, Harshitha was a 14-year-old watching the 2013 Women’s World Cup on television, inspired as Sri Lanka stunned India and England on the biggest stage. That tournament planted a dream.

“That was the first time I watched girls playing cricket. In that moment, I dreamt of playing for the national team,” she told Sports stars during the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025.

“I loved watching my idols Kumar Sangakkara and Shashikala Siriwardene. Both are legends of Sri Lankan cricket and cricket itself.”

Sport, though, had always been part of her life. “I used to play with my brother as a child. We played cricket in the streets near my house,” she recalled. Growing up in a sports-loving family only strengthened that foundation. With her father being an athlete and mother a netball player, support was never in short supply.

Overnight, a player who had quietly done the hard yards, dominated the domestic scenes and ground through six years at the international level, became a national hero. It was the culmination of a journey that began long before she came into the spotlight.

Her talent was shaped at Gothami Balika Vidyalaya and later Anula Vidyalaya, schools known for producing competitive women cricketers in the island. Sri Lanka had begun building structured pathways for girls’ cricket, and Harshitha was among the earliest beneficiaries.

Her ascent began in 2013. “My first coach was Lalanga Rajapaksha. He spotted me during a selection trial and told me to join the school team. He guided me through the levels and helped me create my early foundation for the game.

“Hard-ball cricket wasn’t common then. Only a few schools played it, and I found it difficult to adjust,” she admitted. But runs soon began to flow in the Under-19 circuit and age-group tournaments conducted by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), drawing the attention of scouts.

READ | Women’s ODI World Cup: Between rain and rebuild, Sri Lanka searches for a second sunrise

She was drafted into the national development squad when she was only 15 years old. Balancing studies, cricket and national commitments was no easy task, but she continued to excel in all fields, driving towards her goal.

She eventually got her shot during the 2016 T20 World Cup in India, where she made her international debut as a 17-year-old. However, it was not until 2019 that she became a regular.

Growth, guidance and gaining knowledge

Club cricket added more layers to her game. After representing Colts Cricket Club, she joined the Navy Sports Club Women, where guidance from Shashikala and Namal Seneviratne proved influential. “They, along with other coaches, helped me develop my game,” Harshitha said.

Consistently among the top five batters across domestic tournaments, her efforts shone through, particularly in 2025. She scored 471 runs in nine matches as Navy SC Women went unbeaten in the Major Club 50-Over Tournament.

After representing Colts Cricket Club, she joined the Navy Sports Club Women, where guidance from Shashikala and Namal Seneviratne proved influential. 
| Photo Credit:
Instagram/@harshitha3000

Those performances, however, did not translate into the ICC showpiece this year, a rare setback for her. Through it all, she continued learning from her captain, Chamari, someone she deeply admires. “Chamari as (elder sister) always encourages younger players and shares her knowledge, especially about handling pressure,” she said. “She is a role model for all of us.”

Exposure outside Sri Lanka has also shaped her growth. In 2024, Harshitha featured in the Caribbean Premier League — as an injury replacement for Meg Lanning — with Trinbago Knight Riders, an experience she describes as transformative.

“I was able to take a lot of learnings from that tournament,” she said. “I could share the dressing room with international players from different backgrounds. I learned so much just by talking to them, picking their brains and taking in their knowledge.”

“It was a great opportunity to learn from some of the best,” she added. “Jemimah Rodrigues’ words meant the most to me.”

It was a huge moment for the country as well, since Harshitha was only the second Sri Lankan to feature in the league.

Next in line

With a set of senior Lankan players set to hang up their jerseys in the coming years, Harshitha is increasingly aware of her own responsibility. “We have many young, talented players coming through. As a senior, I want to be what my seniors were to me.”

As Sri Lanka builds towards the 2026 T20 World Cup, the team finds itself at the crossroads, preparing for a global challenge while gradually handing over responsibility to the next generation. But there is reassurance for Sri Lanka, knowing Harshitha is at the heart of that transition, ready to lead the way one day.

Published on Dec 21, 2025