September 25, 2024

Pressure is a Privilege – A Fully Fit Shreyanka Patil Aims to Keep the Dream Alive

India’s rising star spinner reflects on an incredible year that saw her win the WPL, debut for the national team, and become a fan favorite, especially among selfie-seekers.

For Shreyanka Patil, the third time, indeed, was the charm.

Two weeks ago, after clearing a fitness test following a finger injury, Patil twisted her ankle during a practice match in Bengaluru. Her hopes of playing in her first T20 World Cup hung by a thread for two days.

As the swelling slowly subsided, no decision could be made without reviewing the scan results. Even when the scans showed no significant damage, Patil was told that a final decision was still pending, a “wait and watch” period before a call was taken.

On Tuesday, September 24, Shreyanka Patil joined the Indian squad on their flight to the UAE as India aims to clinch the tournament title for the first time.

Patil’s past year has been nothing short of a dream. After making it late last year, she became the first Indian to play in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL) late in the previous year—her shee-ball debut for India in December. By March, she was at the forefront of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) triumphant Women’s Premier League (WPL) campaign.

Though she has played only 12 T20Is, her reputation has soared since the WPL concluded. Known for her versatility, her ability to bowl effectively across different game phases—especially in the death overs—has become a defining strength.

“I was just focusing on my process,” Patil shared her thoughts earlier this month during a QUA brand shoot in Delhi. “I was not thinking of what was going to happen next. I thought I’d give my best whichever team I play for.”

At 22, Patil made her mark in WPL 2023, standing out even as RCB finished at the bottom, building on two strong seasons with Karnataka. This year, she continued to be one of RCB’s top spinners, alongside Asha Sobhana, Sophie Molineux, and Georgia Wareham, taking 13 wickets, including an impressive 4 for 12 in the final.

One of the standout moments of Patil’s 2024 WPL season was the electrifying atmosphere in Bengaluru, the host city for the tournament’s opening leg. The crowd erupted with excitement as captain Smriti Mandhana led her team onto the field, creating an unforgettable experience for players and fans.

“This year, when we faced that crowd in Bangalore, it was just massive,” Patil said. “When we get so much from the audience, like people watching us, we want to do more and give our best. We keep doing that, but when you see people turning out and saying, ‘Wow, they play so well,’ that’s again a plus point for all of us.

“So playing with the likes of Smriti and Pez [Ellyse Perry], there are many things to learn, not just on the field but off the field. You get to know a lot of stuff. It was amazing. That platform has set the standards for the domestic players and us.

“Personally, everyone would say, ‘She’s got the Purple Cap,’ but for me, it was like a rollercoaster ride because, in the first half in Bangalore, I couldn’t perform at my best. I was disappointed because I like my Bangalore. So I went back, and Malo [Malolan Rangarajan, RCB’s assistant coach] helped me with my bowling, and then Smriti backed me up no matter what. So I’m very grateful to the management who supported me then, and the second half was good for me.”

In just two seasons, the WPL has provided financial support to emerging players and offered new talent for the Indian team’s future. Shreyanka Patil and players like Saika Ishaque and Tanuja Kanwar have risen. Beyond honing their cricketing skills, they’ve also had to navigate the spotlight and glamour of being part of the WPL and representing India on the global stage.

“So after the WPL, when I came back home, there were thousands of people in front of my house asking me for selfies,” Patil recalled. “They said, ‘You did well, you were just amazing, we love your bowling, we love your smile,’ all kinds of comments. And I couldn’t stop smiling. So it was just so amazing, the crowd there, and I enjoyed it.”

Patil, who finished as a runner-up with the Guyana Amazon Warriors in last year’s WCPL, credits her rapid rise to her fierce competitiveness and knack for staying calm under pressure when it matters most. She believes that Edge has driven success on the big stage.

“I think it comes naturally to me since I was a kid,” she said. “I don’t like to lose. I get up and say, ‘I’m going to try my heart out; I’m going to give it everything, no matter what.’ I would love to have that fighting spirit with me always.

“For me, pressure is a good thing. So when I say ‘pressure,’ it’s not like I think negatively. I feel cool under pressure because that’s what I also practiced during my practice sessions. I put myself into those pressured situations, like the last two balls left and four runs to win. How am I going to bowl? So repeating those kinds of practice sessions helped me settle those nerves.”

Patil will be among four spin-bowling options for India, along with Radha Yadav, Deepti Sharma, and Asha, when their T20 World Cup campaign starts on October 4 against New Zealand in Dubai. Then they face Pakistan on October 6, also in Dubai. The other two teams in India’s group are Australia and Sri Lanka.

Patil hasn’t played a competitive game since the Asia Cup opener, but she can now overcome the injury scares as she gets set to prepare for the dreams of winning a World Cup leg up.

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