India’s Women’s T20 World Cup campaign has taken a hit with off-spin all-rounder Shreyanka Patil almost certain to miss the remainder of the tournament after damaging ankle ligaments in Wednesday’s win over the Netherlands in Leeds.
The 24-year-old twisted her right ankle while chasing a ball at mid-on, collapsed in obvious pain and was carried from the ground on a stretcher. Initial scans, according to team management, indicate “a significant ligament injury”, and although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not issued a formal prognosis, the mood in the camp suggests she will not recover in time.
“We’ll give Shreyanka every chance, but ankle ligaments rarely heal inside a fortnight,” a support-staff member said on Thursday morning. “Realistically we have to plan without her.”
Replacements are already being debated. India A are currently in England and their touring party provides ready options: off-spinner Minnu Mani, left-armers Tanuja Kanwar and Vaishnavi Sharma, leg-spinner Prema Rawat and skipper Anushka Sharma, who also bowls off-spin. Any of the five could be drafted into the senior squad once the BCCI completes medical formalities.
Patil’s misfortune continues a rough run with injuries. A broken finger ruled her out of the 2024 T20 World Cup, shin splints and a wrist stress reaction followed, and she only returned to full cricket last winter, impressing in the Women’s CPL and then helping Royal Challengers Bengaluru lift a second WPL title earlier this year. Speaking after that triumph she reflected, “Setbacks keep me hungry; I just need a clear run.” Fate, so far, has been unkind.
From a tactical perspective India lose a genuine three-in-one cricketer: attacking off-spinner, handy lower-order hitter and an energetic fielder. Her overs, especially in the powerplay, allowed captain Harmanpreet Kaur to juggle seamers more freely. Without her, left-arm spinner Radha Yadav may have to shoulder extra responsibility, while the balance of the XI could tilt towards an additional batter.
For the moment India remain unbeaten, having brushed aside Pakistan and the Netherlands, but South Africa await in Manchester on Sunday. Victory there would almost seal a semi-final berth, yet Shreyanka Patil’s absence has undeniably complicated the road ahead.
