Major Setback for India: Uncapped Leg-Spinner Prema Rawat Named World Cup Replacement for Injured Shreyanka Patil

India’s campaign at the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 has hit a major hurdle, with rising off-spin bowling all-rounder Shreyanka Patil officially ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to a severe ankle ligament injury. The 23-year-old sustained the injury during the final over of the Powerplay in India’s commanding 95-run group-stage victory against the Netherlands at Headingley in Leeds. While attempting to stop a ball in the field, Patil twisted her right ankle awkwardly and collapsed in visible pain, forcing the team medical staff to intervene and carry her off the ground on a stretcher. Following comprehensive scans, the BCCI medical team confirmed she could take no further part in the tournament.

In her place, the Event Technical Committee of the ICC has approved the inclusion of 24-year-old uncapped leg-spinner Prema Rawat for the rest of the World Cup. Rawat, who was already in England touring with the India ‘A’ squad for a bilateral white-ball series, will immediately join the senior national team ahead of their pivotal Group A fixture against South Africa at Old Trafford. Rawat earns her maiden senior national call-up on the back of stellar domestic performances, having played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and finishing as a vital component in India A’s victorious Women’s Asia Cup Rising Stars campaign, where she claimed eight wickets.