The Indian women’s cricket team has suffered a big setback ahead of their second match in the ongoing Women’s Asia Cup 2024 against the United Arab Emirates on Sunday (July 21). Star spinner Shreyanka Patil, who picked up two wickets for 14 runs in 3.2 overs during India’s first match against Pakistan in Dambulla on Friday (July 19), was ruled out of the remainder of the tournament due to a finger injury on Saturday.
The 21-year-old Bengaluru-born cricketer suffered a fracture on the finger of her left hand while attempting to take a catch during the match against Pakistan.
“Shreyanka Patil of India has been ruled out of the remainder of the Women’s Asia Cup after she sustained an injury while fielding during the team’s opening game of the tournament, against Pakistan, in Dambulla, Sri Lanka,” said the ACC in a statement on Saturday.
She has been replaced by Tanuja Kanwer in the Indian team for the remaining matches.
“In place of her, Tanuja Kanwer will join the team,” the Asian Cricket Council statement added.
Unlike Patil, Tanuja, who was part of the Gujarat Giants in the WPL 2024, is a slow left-arm orthodox bowler and is still waiting to make her debut for the Women in Blue.
The news of Patil’s injury is a big blow for the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side, who are favourites to win the ongoing eight-team tournament in Sri Lanka.
After crushing Pakistan by seven wickets in the first match played on Friday, India sits in No. 1 position in the Group A points table, and a win over the UAE on Sunday will almost confirm India’s place in the semi-final of the premier continental tournament. Unlike India, the UAE is coming into their second match after losing the tournament’s opener by six wickets against Nepal on Friday.
All eyes on Smriti
Star Indian opening batter Smriti Mandhana is in red-hot form these days. She scored back-to-back centuries in the first two ODIs against South Africa last month and then reached the triple-figure mark in the only Test played between the two teams in Chennai.
During India’s match against Pakistan, she top-scored by making 45 runs from 31 balls and helped India chase down the target of 109 runs in 14.1 overs for the loss of three wickets. She will look to maintain her form and come up with another big show on Sunday.
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