I want to enjoy playing cricket – Shreyanka Patil on overcoming a tough injury phase

Shreyanka Patil recovered from two major injuries to return just in time for WPL 2026. However, the recovery phase took a lot from her. From soaring the highest to being in darkness, life took an unexpected turn for Shreyanka. However, in all the despair, she chose to believe.

Talking on Big Basket presents the RCB Podcast, Shreyanka revealed how one call from the RCB Head Coach, Malolan Rangarajan, uplifted her spirits and that changed what was to come for her.

Shedding light on the uncertainty, Shreyanka said, “It did arise because I kept missing a lot of tournaments like bilateral series, tri-series, and then missing out on WPL was a big miss for me. And then World Cup. I was like, if I don't play England series, if I'm not there in the English series, I don't see myself being a part of the World Cup squad. And that kind of really hit me. I had doubts.”

Revealing how Malolan Rangarajan’s call changed it all, Shreyanka stated, “And then Malo sir just called me before the retention thing was announced. He's like, Patil, you don't have to think about what's gonna happen or what has happened. Just focus on how you can get better at your own skills and mentally. And I just gave a pause and I'm like, actually, I want to enjoy playing cricket.”

Shreyanka then revealed her mindset after having the chat with Malolan, adding, “Because I enjoy playing cricket, I got all of this. So why should I stop enjoying myself? That's when I'm like, okay. I mean, obviously as a cricketer, you will feel, oh I might not be there, or I should have been there because of injury I missed out on playing WPL, the World Cup. So I mean, still if I sit now and think about it, I do miss being a part of those squads, but life is tough, so you have to move on.