Having honed her skills at the same beach as Lasith Malinga, Gimhani, who has been picked to represent her country in the T20 World Cup, is missing school to play in the tournament. It is a dream she would not have harboured six months ago.

All you need to know about Shashini Gimhani

Gimhani first impressed during the National Super League One Day tournament this year where she ended with an economy rate of 4.73. She was then picked for the under-19 white-ball tri-series in April, featuring England and Australia. In four T20Is, she picked up four wickets at an average of 20.25 and an economy of 5.92 and grabbed three wickets in two ODIs that followed. While the figures were not as starling, she left a mark on the selectors and skipper Chamari Athapaththu, following which she was picked for the Qualifiers.

She took 2-23 against Uganda in her debut game and was later picked for the Women's Asia Cup as well. Against Malaysia, Gimhani ended with 3-9 in her four overs.

Her rare skill set is what makes her unique. Gimhani is one of the few left-arm wrist spinners in women’s cricket. Overall, according to the available data, there have only been 101 left-arm spinners in all of women’s T20s. While the official number of writs-spinners from the list is not available, it would be a minuscule number. She is also the only left-arm wrist spinner in the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup.

What also stands out is that she can reportedly bowl equally well with the right arm as with her left, much like her compatriot Kamindu Mendis, who, before reaching Don Bradman-esque batting levels, was best known for bowling with both arms.

Gimhani has not been picked in Sri Lanka’s playing XI for their first World Cup game against Pakistan, if she does play in the tournament, she will become the third-youngest to do so.

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