Prema Rawat Replaces Injured Shreyanka Patil in India T20 World Cup Squad

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Event Technical Committee has approved uncapped leg-spinner Prema Rawat as a replacement for the injured Shreyanka Patil in the India squad. Rawat will transition directly from the India A tour in England to the senior tournament roster.

The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 officially ratified Prema Rawat as the replacement player for Shreyanka Patil within the Indian national team lineup.

Rawat, who was already stationed in England participating in the ongoing India A bilateral tour, will immediately link up with the senior Women’s T20 World Cup contingent.

The 24-year-old leg break bowler has yet to make her senior international debut. However, she forced her way into selection through impressive spells in the Women’s Premier League and the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars, where she claimed eight wickets at an average of 9.62 for India A.

Patil had recently returned to international cricket following a prior injury layoff. She participated in India’s tournament victory over rivals Pakistan, delivering a disciplined bowling performance to finish with figures of 0/17 from her maximum allocation of three overs.

Future Outlook

The loss of Patil is a significant blow to India’s spin department, given her versatile off-spin and lower-order batting capabilities. She twisted her right ankle just one ball into her spell against the Netherlands in Leeds and had to be stretchered off the field in visible agony.

This setback marks another chapter in Patil’s injury-prone career, following a broken finger in July 2024, severe shin splints, and a wrist stress reaction that sidelined her for nearly one year before her comeback in the 2025 Women’s CPL and Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s 2026 WPL title run.

India A squad captain Anushka Sharma, alongside spin options Minnu Mani, Tanuja Kanwar, and Vaishnavi Sharma, were also under consideration by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) before selectors finalized Rawat.

Despite the injury blow, India remains in a dominant position at the top of Group A with four points. The team recorded its highest-ever T20 World Cup score of 209/5 against the Netherlands, fueled by a 115-run opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana (74) and Shafali Verma (55), before bowling out the opposition for 114 in 17.3 overs.

FAQs

Why was Shreyanka Patil ruled out of the Women’s T20 World Cup?

Shreyanka Patil was ruled out of the tournament after sustaining a severe right ankle ligament injury while fielding against the Netherlands in Leeds. The injury occurred just one ball into her bowling spell, requiring her to be stretchered off the field.

Who is Prema Rawat, the new inclusion in the Indian squad?

Prema Rawat is a 24-year-old uncapped leg-break bowler who has been named as Patil’s replacement. She was selected following strong performances in the Women’s Premier League and the Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars, where she took eight wickets for India A.

How did India perform in their recent match against the Netherlands?

India secured a commanding 95-run victory over the Netherlands. Batting first, India posted a record-breaking total of 209/5 before bundling out the opposition for 114 runs in 17.3 overs to move to the top of Group A.

Who were the standout performers for India in the match at Leeds?

Smriti Mandhana scored 74 off 47 balls and Shafali Verma hit 55 off 38 balls to build a 115-run opening stand. In the bowling department, Shree Charani led the attack with figures of 4/19, supported by Verma’s 3/20.