It’s only the start of the third season of the WPL, but a setback fends off the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. As CricketNext’s sources say, off-spinner Shreyanka Patil finds herself likely out of the WPL season owing to a recent injury.
Sources say, all-rounder Sneh Rana, who went unsold during the auction, could be the front-running substitute for Patil if RCB decide to get her on to their roster for the rest of the season. Rana was unsold in the WPL auction last year after having been let go by the Gujarat Giants and was spotted with the RCB team ahead of their game against the GG on Friday.
“Heartbroken, but I will fly again,” Shreyanka wrote on X.
It is underlined by the fact that Patil was included in many of RCB’s posts before the tournament. However, earlier today, the off-spinner took to social media herself and shared a post that most likely indicated something’s wrong.
Shreyanka won the Purple Cap in the 2024 edition of the WPL, also taking four wickets in the final against the Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Patil has already been nursing an injury very similar to the one ahead of the WPL season.
For now, it is another major woe that threatens RCB’s title defense. Absences of Asha Sobhana, out with a knee injury; Sophie Devine, on leave; left-arm spinner Sophie Molineux, injured; and medium-fast bowler Kate Cross, who has pulled out of the competition to focus her efforts on regaining fitness, compound the challenge RCB faces from here on.
Patil’s social media post was definitely heard during the first tie between RCB and GG in Vadodara, for her absence was dearly felt after the hosts posted a stunning line of 201/5 in the first innings after being asked to bat despite losing the toss.
A steady half-century from Beth Mooney set the platform for skipper Ashleigh Gardner and all-rounder Deandra Dottin, doing serious damage in the last overs against young RCB spinners VJ Joshitha and Prema Rawat, to score 79 (37) and 25 (13) respectively.
