India spinner Shreyanka Patil is facing another uncertain period after suffering an ankle injury during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. The injury is another setback for the 24-year-old, who had already missed India’s successful 2025 ODI World Cup campaign at home after suffering an ACL tear.
Patil was stretchered off the field after twisting her ankle during India’s second T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands in June. The injury has now raised questions about how long she could be away from cricket, with no fixed timeline yet set for her return.
The latest setback is especially disappointing for Patil because she had worked hard to return to international cricket after spending a long time away from the game.
Patil’s career has been affected by several injuries over the last two years. She spent nearly 14 months away from cricket after suffering a fractured finger during India’s Women’s Asia Cup match against Pakistan in July 2024.
Her injury problems did not end there. She later suffered serious shin problems in both legs and also fractured her left thumb. These injuries kept her away from competitive cricket for a long period.
The injuries also meant that she missed India’s 2025 ODI World Cup campaign. India went on to win the tournament, but Patil could not be part of the team that lifted the trophy on home soil.
Speaking earlier about that difficult period, Patil admitted that missing the World Cup was painful for her. “ODI World Cup was a big miss for me. Very proud and happy that the girls won but it was also disappointing for me because I was not able to lift the trophy with them.”
After a long recovery, Patil finally returned to action and made her comeback for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women’s Premier League earlier this year. She had also played for the Barbados Royals in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League in September 2025, marking her first appearance since October 2024.
Her return to the field was an important moment after such a long battle with injuries. The long time away from cricket was not only physically difficult for Patil but also affected her mentally.
In June, she spoke openly about the emotional struggles she faced during her injury layoff and revealed that she had even thought about giving up cricket.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t depressed or that I didn’t think about giving up cricket. That’s how I felt initially during the injury phase. But there was a voice inside me saying, ‘No matter what, I love playing this sport. I’m here only because I love playing it’.”
Patil credited her family and support system for helping her get through that difficult phase. Her father, in particular, continued to encourage her, while conversations with other cricketers also helped her find the strength to keep going.
“So, I couldn’t give up on something I love doing. I kept my head high, my dad kept talking to me, and my family supported me throughout. The atmosphere around me and the strong support system I had, I was always surrounded by great people. That kept me going.”
Her return to the international team was therefore a special moment, especially after everything she had gone through. “I love being back on the field now, and I won’t let that feeling go.”
Patil is an important part of India’s bowling attack when she is fit. She has shown that she can handle pressure situations, especially during the Powerplay when batters often look to attack.
She has also spoken about how much she enjoys the challenge of bowling during the fielding restrictions.
“I’ve always enjoyed bowling in the powerplay, whether it’s for my state team or for India. It’s amazing to bowl under pressure because that’s what I love doing, and it’s something I’ve successfully done in the past.”
Her ability to bowl in the early overs gives India another useful option with the ball. She can also contribute with the bat lower down the order, which makes her a valuable player for the team.
The latest ankle injury comes at a difficult time for Patil, who had only recently returned after overcoming a long list of fitness problems.
With no fixed timeline for her return, Patil’s recovery will need to be monitored carefully. The main priority will be to make sure she is fully fit before returning to competitive cricket rather than rushing her back too soon.
For Patil, the latest injury is another challenge in a career that has already tested her patience and determination. However, her earlier comeback showed the strength and fighting spirit she has developed through difficult times.
She has already fought her way back from a long injury layoff and returned to the Indian team. Now, she will hope to go through the recovery process once again and return to the field when she is fully ready.
For India, her return will be eagerly awaited. The team will hope that the talented spinner can recover well and once again play an important role in India’s future international campaigns.
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