Shreyanka Patil ankle injury update — Will she play India vs South Africa in Women's T20 WC 2026?

Even though Indian women got their second successive victory of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 against the Netherlands by 95 runs at Leeds in Headingley, they remained concerned about their spin all-rounder, Shreyanka Patil, who was stretchered off the field after shockingly twisting her right ankle.

Questions have started to arise about whether Shreyanka will be available to feature in their next clash against South Africa, scheduled for June 21 at Old Trafford in Manchester. The bowler looked in a lot of pain as she held her ankle and was eventually stretched off the field for scans. 

What happened to Shreyanka Patil? Inside her freak ankle injury vs the Netherlands

It was the first ball of the sixth over when the Netherlands batter, Phebe Molkenboer, clipped the ball to the leg side as the bowler ran after the ball to stop the single. Just as he bent down to pick up the ball return, Patil twisted his right ankle and fell immediately.

The spinner was seen to be clutching her right ankle as the Indian team’s physiotherapist rushed out in the middle. But the bowler couldn’t put weight on her right leg while trying to stand up with some help. Later, Patil was taken off the stretcher and went off the field.

The opening batter of the blue brigade, Shafali Verma, completed the rest of the over. These kinds of injuries can rule a player out of a competition due to a long recovery process.

Shreyanka Patil injury latest: scan results, recovery timeline & BCCI update

This injury could prove to be a significant setback for the Indian side. The reports have revealed that she was taken to the hospital for scans, with further treatment decisions to be made once the results are known. What happened to her was really unfortunate, given the form she has shown since returning to international cricket.

Patil had been out of action for long periods in 2024 and 2025 due to multiple injuries. It started in July 2024 with a finger fracture on her left hand, which was followed by shin splints in both legs and a stress reaction in her wrist.

She gained full fitness in September 2025 when he featured for Barbados Royals in the Women’s CPL, followed by the WPL for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) earlier in 2026.

How India's spin attack changes if Patil misses the South Africa clash

Since her return from injury, Patil has been one of India’s most reliable wicket-taking options, especially through the middle and death overs. With a crucial game against the Proteas and Australia coming in the next 10 days, India will hope for a quick replacement of the spinner.

They have Radha Yadav in the squad, and she could be the likely replacement for the injured spinner. Or else, if they want to use some extra pace in the line-up in Manchester, then they may come up with Renuka Singh Thakur in the eleven.

India’s next clash against the Proteas will be on June 21, before they face Bangladesh on June 25. Their last fixture will be against Australia on June 28 at Lord’s in London.