Shreyanka Patil recovers from ankle injury, set to play in Asian Games

Shreyanka Patil has recovered from her ankle injury and is set to return to competitive cricket at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. Her coach Arjun Dev confirmed she is on her way to Japan after injuries forced her to miss the Asia Cup and part of the T20 World Cup.

Shreyanka Patil has recovered from her ankle injury and is set to make her return to competitive cricket at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. The India all-rounder was working her way back to full fitness after missing the Asia Cup and the latter stages of the Women's T20 World Cup due to injury.

“Yes, she’s on her way to Japan,” Shreyanka’s coach Arjun Dev told India Today, providing a positive update ahead of the Asian Games. Shreyanka was named in India’s Asian Games squad in June, but her selection was made subject to fitness clearance after she suffered the ankle injury during the T20 World Cup.

HOW SHREYANKA HAS STRUGGLED WITH INJURIES

Shreyanka's latest injury setback came during India's Group A match against the Netherlands at Headingley on June 17. The off-spinner hurt her right ankle while fielding and was unable to put weight on it. She was eventually stretchered off the field and was subsequently ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup. The BCCI replaced her in the squad with leg-spinner Prema Rawat.

The injury also forced Shreyanka to miss the Women's Asia Cup in the UAE. When India announced their Asia Cup squad in August, Shreyanka was the only player from the Asian Games squad to miss out, with Prema Rawat retaining her place after replacing her during the T20 World Cup.

Her latest setback came after a difficult period with injuries. Shreyanka had previously endured a fractured finger and a lengthy spell out with shin splints, before eventually making her India comeback in 2026 after a 16-month absence. She returned to international cricket in February and was part of India's T20 World Cup campaign before the ankle injury brought another interruption.

The 24-year-old's return would be a significant boost for India's campaign in Japan. Shreyanka brings an all-round skill set to the side, having established herself as a useful off-spinner and lower-order batter. Since making her international debut in December 2023, she has played three ODIs and 24 T20Is, taking 34 wickets.

India will enter the Asian Games as the defending women's cricket champions, having won gold at the 2022 Hangzhou Games. The women's cricket tournament at the 2026 edition will again be played in the T20 format.