Shreyanka Patil Opens Up About Injury Struggles and Return to WPL

Shreyanka Patil Reflects on Her Journey Back to Cricket

Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], January 7: Indian spinner Shreyanka Patil, who last played for her country in October 2024, has shared her feelings about missing significant events like the Women's Premier League (WPL) and the Women's World Cup. She expressed her disappointment over not being part of her team's historic world title victory.

Shreyanka, a member of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) squad that won the WPL in 2024, is set to return this season after being retained by the franchise. Following her last appearance in Indian colors in 2024, she faced a lengthy recovery from injuries, including shin splints and a fractured thumb, which sidelined her for over a year.

During her time away from the game, Shreyanka participated in the Caribbean Premier League with the Barbados Royals Women, where she took one wicket in five matches. She has played 16 T20 Internationals for India, claiming 20 wickets at an average of 19.20, along with five wickets in three One Day Internationals.

While rehabilitating at Bengaluru's Centre of Excellence, Shreyanka struggled with the mental toll of her injuries. The top wicket-taker in the 2024 WPL, with 13 wickets including four in the final, she found it particularly hard to watch RCB's struggles and miss the ODI World Cup, where the Indian women's team achieved their first-ever title.

Reflecting on her time off, Shreyanka remarked, "I thought it was just a one-off injury. I felt I would be back in two or three months. I never imagined I would not be on the field for more than a year." She added, "Missing the World Cup hurt a lot. As a cricketer, you always want to lift that trophy."

Despite her challenges, Shreyanka found solace in conversations with Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who offered advice on handling pressure and injuries. She recalled, "He told me, 'this is okay, everyone goes through it.' He reassured me that I was facing these challenges at a young age, so 'do not fight it. Just be in it.'"

Initially isolating herself, Shreyanka eventually connected with fellow players like Riyan Parag and Mayank Yadav, which helped her realize she was not alone in her struggles. "I was not talking to anyone at the start. I locked myself in a room for two or three months. That was not me. I am usually very bubbly. But talking to people made me realize I was not alone," she shared.

Shreyanka expressed her gratitude towards the RCB management for their faith in her, especially when head coach Malolan Rangarajan reached out to confirm her retention despite her long absence from the game. "No words can describe how I felt. Someone who has not played for 13 or 14 months, and they still trust you... it gives so much confidence," she said.

Before the retention announcement, Shreyanka admitted to overthinking her future and fearing she might not be retained. After receiving the call, she immediately contacted her coach, Arjun Dev, and was overwhelmed with emotion. "I did not even know what I was feeling. It was just so much love and belief," she added.

RCB is set to begin their WPL season on Friday at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.