Shreyanka Patil ruled out of T20 WC with ankle injury

Shreyanka Patil, the Indian offspinner, has been ruled out of the ongoing 2026 Women's T20 World Cup after sustaining an injury to her ankle during India's second group stage match against Netherlands on Wednesday at Headingley.

The 23-year-old twisted her ankle in the last over of the Powerplay while attempting to stop the ball and was immediately taken off the field. Prema Rawat, the uncapped 24-year-old legspinner, has been approved as her replacement in the Indian squad for the rest of the tournament.

Rawat has featured in six Women's Premier League matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru over the last two seasons, picking up three wickets. In the domestic circuit, she played a crucial hand in Uttarakhand's victory in the domestic senior championship with her all-round performances.

However, Shreyanka's departure still leaves a void. Apart from her electric fielding, she was also a standout attacking option with the ball for India against left-handers and in the death.

Indian bowlers vs left-handers in WPL

Indian bowlers in the death in WPL

Shreyanka has missed most of the last two years on the sidelines, struggling with various injuries. It remains to be seen if India immediately bring Rawat into the playing XI or opt for Radha Yadav. Both are good fielders and can offer some batting muscle in the lower middle order. However, the bigger question is whether India's pace attack could also see alterations to cover for the key areas and matchups that Shreyanka was used for.

India have a couple of days before they take on South Africa on June 21 at Old Trafford.