Ankle injury ends Shreyanka Patil's Women's T20 World Cup as uncapped Prema Rawat earns a call-up

India's Women's T20 World Cup 2026 campaign has been dealt a setback off the field, with off-spinning all-rounder Shreyanka Patil ruled out of the remainder of the tournament after sustaining an ankle injury. In a blow to the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side, the 24-year-old will play no further part in the competition, with uncapped leg-spinner Prema Rawat called up as her replacement.

The injury is a particularly cruel one for Patil, who had only recently fought her way back into the international set-up following a lengthy period on the sidelines. Just as she had re-established herself, fate has intervened once more.

How the Injury Happened

Patil picked up the problem while fielding in India's Group A match against the Netherlands on Wednesday — and, agonisingly, it came during her very first over of the game. Chasing down a ball that had been struck towards mid-on, she twisted her right ankle, and the pain was immediate.

She was seen clutching her right leg and was unable to put any weight on it, prompting the team physiotherapist to rush onto the field. With Patil unable to continue, she had to be carried off on a stretcher. Subsequent scans confirmed the worst: an ankle ligament injury serious enough to end her tournament.

A Cruel Blow in a Difficult Run

For Patil, this latest setback continues an unfortunate and prolonged battle with injuries. In recent years she has endured a finger injury, shin splints in both legs and a stress reaction in her wrist, the cumulative effect of which kept her out of action for the best part of a year.

Her road back was anything but straightforward. She rebuilt her cricket through franchise opportunities, returning to action before playing a part in Royal Challengers Bengaluru's title-winning Women's Premier League campaign. That resilience made her recall to the national side all the more deserved — which is precisely why this fresh blow feels so harsh.

A Brief but Bright Return

Patil had wasted little time in making her presence felt upon her comeback to international cricket. Earlier in this very tournament, she had featured in India's win over Pakistan, where she bowled a tidy spell of three overs for just 17 runs, signalling that she was ready to contribute once again.

That made the timing of her injury all the more disappointing. Having come through the difficult work of recovery and earned her place back in the side, she managed only a fleeting involvement against the Netherlands before her tournament was brought to a premature end.

Prema Rawat Steps In

Into the breach steps Prema Rawat, whose inclusion has been approved by the tournament's Event Technical Committee. For the 24-year-old, it represents a significant milestone: her first call-up to the senior national side.

Rawat offers India something a little different. Where Patil is an off-spinner, Rawat is a leg-spinner, adding a wrist-spin variation to the squad's slow-bowling options. She was already in England as part of the India A team, which is contesting a white-ball series, and will now link up with the senior group for the rest of the World Cup.

Her credentials are promising. Rawat has two seasons of WPL experience with Royal Challengers Bengaluru behind her, and impressed on the recent Rising Stars Women's Asia Cup, where she claimed eight wickets at a miserly economy rate as India A went on to lift the title. While she remains uncapped at senior international level, her recent form suggests she is ready for the step up.

What It Means for India

Losing an all-rounder of Patil's type is undoubtedly a blow, removing both an off-spin option and a useful contributor down the order. Few sides relish reshuffling their resources mid-tournament, and India will miss the balance she offers.

That said, the introduction of Rawat brings its own advantages. A wrist-spinner can pose different questions to opposition batters, and India's overall spin depth means they are well equipped to absorb the change. The selectors will be hopeful that Rawat can seize her opportunity should she be called upon.

India's Campaign Rolls On

Crucially, the news comes with India in a strong position. They have made an excellent start to the tournament, recording back-to-back victories over Pakistan and the Netherlands to sit at the top of Group A with a perfect record.

Their attention now turns to a meeting with South Africa in Manchester, a contest that promises to be a much sterner examination than the two they have already negotiated. It is the kind of fixture in which India's depth — including their newly reshaped bowling unit — may well be tested.

Opportunity Amid Disappointment

There is a familiar duality to moments like these. For Patil, it is a story of frustration and bad luck; for Rawat, it is the chance of a lifetime, an unexpected call to the biggest stage in the women's game.

Such is the nature of squad sport, where one player's misfortune can open the door for another. Rawat will be determined to make the most of the platform she has been handed, even as her thoughts, like those of the wider squad, will be with the team-mate she is replacing.

The Final Word

Shreyanka Patil's enforced exit is a disappointing footnote to what has otherwise been a bright start to India's World Cup. Having shown such determination to return from a string of injuries, she will now face the difficult task of recovering and resetting once again — and few would bet against a player of her resolve coming back stronger.

For India, the campaign continues, with Prema Rawat handed the chance to write her own chapter. As the team pushes on towards the latter stages, they will do so hoping that this setback proves to be no more than a minor bump on the road to their ultimate goal.

Key Points

• The news: Shreyanka Patil ruled out of the rest of the Women's T20 World Cup 2026 with an ankle injury
• How it happened: She twisted her right ankle while fielding in her first over against the Netherlands and was stretchered off; scans confirmed an ankle ligament injury
• The replacement: Uncapped leg-spinner Prema Rawat, earning her first senior India call-up
• Rawat's background: Two WPL seasons with RCB and eight wickets at a strong economy in the recent Rising Stars Women's Asia Cup; was in England with India A
• The contrast: Rawat's leg-spin adds a wrist-spin option in place of Patil's off-spin
• India's position: Top of Group A with two wins from two (over Pakistan and the Netherlands)
• Next up: A tougher test against South Africa in Manchester