In a significant turn of events, the UP Warriorz are facing another challenge with the departure of their captain, Alyssa Healy. Key Sri Lankan player Chamari Athapaththu is poised to leave the franchise during the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) season. She is set to lead Sri Lanka in their limited-overs series against New Zealand, starting on March 4.
Reports indicate that Athapaththu will remain part of the Deepti Sharma-led UP Warriorz until February 26, meaning she will leave the team after their fourth match this season, where they will face the reigning WPL champions, Mumbai Indians.
While the Warriorz have played one match in this third season, Athapaththu was not on the field during their loss to the Gujarat Giants. Sri Lanka Cricket has announced a squad of 16 players for the upcoming New Zealand tour, with Athapaththu named as captain. The Sri Lankan team will depart for New Zealand on February 22 for a series that consists of three ODIs and three T20Is.
In contrast, another player who could have participated in the bilateral series between New Zealand and Sri Lanka has made a different choice.
Amelia Kerr, the ICC Player of the Year and recipient of the prestigious Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award, has chosen to focus on the WPL and will not participate in the bilateral series. As the only New Zealand player involved, Kerr will continue to represent the Mumbai Indians throughout the ongoing WPL. If MI makes it to the knockout stage, Kerr will also be absent for the first two T20 matches scheduled for March 14 and 16 in Christchurch.
In 2024, Kerr previously missed a home series against England in the shortest format to be available for the entire WPL season. Similarly, teams like RCB and UP Warriorz faced difficulties when England players Heather Knight and Lauren Bell opted out of the tournament to prioritize their bilateral series.
On a positive note, conditions have improved compared to last year, as the ECB has confirmed that there will be no clash between international matches and the WPL season. Starting in 2026, the WPL will be scheduled for January and February rather than February and March, according to the new women’s Future Tours Programme (FTP).
Global franchise cricket schedules have also adjusted, with The Hundred and the Women’s Big Bash League now given separate windows.
Image Source: Chamari Athapaththu @ Instagram
