Manchester: India have been dealt a significant setback in their Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, with off-spinner Shreyanka Patil ruled out of the tournament due to an ankle injury.
The 24-year-old sustained the injury during India’s Group A clash against the Netherlands, forcing her to leave the field in distress and subsequently miss the remainder of the competition.
Injury during Netherlands clash
The incident occurred on the very first ball of the sixth over of the Netherlands’ innings. Shreyanka, who had just come on to bowl, chased a ball towards mid-on but twisted her right ankle while fielding.
She immediately went down in pain, clutching her ankle, as teammates rushed to assist her. The severity of the injury required her to be stretchered off the field, raising immediate concerns about her availability.
ICC approves replacement
The ICC confirmed that uncapped leg-spinner Prema Rawat has been approved as Shreyanka’s replacement in the squad.
“The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 has approved Prema Rawat as a replacement for Shreyanka Patil in the India squad,” the governing body said in an official statement.
Prema Rawat gets big opportunity
Prema Rawat, a promising leg-break bowler, has earned her maiden call-up to the senior national side. The 24-year-old has impressed with her performances in recent domestic and developmental tournaments.
She picked up eight wickets at an impressive average of 9.62 for India A in the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars tournament. Rawat has also featured in six matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women’s Premier League, claiming three wickets.
Her domestic contributions include playing a key role in Uttarakhand’s title-winning campaign in the senior women’s championship.
Shreyanka’s tough journey with injuries
Shreyanka had only recently returned to international cricket after recovering from a previous injury setback. She featured in India’s win over Pakistan earlier in the tournament, finishing with figures of 0 for 17 in three overs.
Earlier in the year, she was part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad that won the Women’s Premier League 2026 title.
The young off-spinner had previously spoken about the mental challenges of dealing with recurring injuries, even admitting that she had considered quitting the sport before being supported by her family and close circle.
India’s campaign remains strong
Despite the setback, India have made a solid start to their World Cup campaign. They remain unbeaten in Group A, having secured victories over Pakistan and the Netherlands.
India will next face South Africa in Manchester on Sunday, where they will aim to continue their winning momentum despite the absence of Shreyanka.
Conclusion
Shreyanka Patil’s injury is a significant loss for India, given her growing role in the team. However, it also opens the door for Prema Rawat to make her mark on the global stage. As the tournament progresses, India will look to maintain their strong form and adapt quickly to the change in their bowling lineup.