Shreyanka Patil, the Indian offspinner, has been ruled out of the ongoing 2026 Women's T20 World Cup after sustaining an injury to her ankle during India's second group stage match against Netherlands on Wednesday, at Headingley.

The 23-year-old twisted her ankle in the last over of the Powerplay while attempting to stop the ball and was immediately taken off the field. Prema Rawat, the uncapped 24-year-old legspinner, has been approved as her replacement in the Indian squad for the rest of the tournament.

Rawat has featured in six Women's Premier League matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru over the last two seasons, picking up three wickets. In the domestic circuit, she played a crucial hand in Uttarakhand's victory in the domestic senior championship with her all-round performances - a natural athlete, she can contribute in all three facets of the game.

However, Shreyanka's departure still leaves a void. Apart from her electric fielding, Shreyanka was also a standout attacking option with the ball for India against left-handers and in the death.

Shreyanka has missed most of the last two years on the sidelines, struggling with various injuries. It would be interesting to see if India immediately bring in Rawat to the playing XI, or opt for the services of Radha Yadav. Both are good fielders and can offer some batting muscle in the lower middle order. However, the bigger question remains as to whether India's pace attack could also witness some alterations to cover up for the key areas and matchups that Shreyanka was used for to counter oppositions.

India have a couple of days to recuperate before they take on South Africa, arguably the most critical contest of the group, on June 21 at Old Trafford.