She shares her journey through multiple injuries, fighting emotions and her passion for the game on the back of the franchise’s second WPL Title.

Reflecting on a difficult phase marked by multiple injuries, Shreyanka opened up about the emotional toll it took on her:
“It wasn’t easy. I thought it was just one injury and I’d be back in a few months. But it was shin splints, again shin splints, then a wrist fracture and then a thumb fracture one after another. I kept asking myself, ‘What is happening to me? On the outside, I told myself I was fine. But deep down, I wasn’t. I’m usually bubbly and extroverted but my life became rehab, home and sitting alone in a dark room. I had never seen myself like that before. Those 12 to 14 months were incredibly tough. I’m glad I’m speaking about it now. If someone else is going through something similar, I want them to know that if I hadn’t held on, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Speaking about what helped her come back stronger, she said that honest conversations and gaining the right perspective made a big difference.
“I genuinely don’t know how I came out of it. Even today, my parents ask me that. But one day I just told myself what has happened is not in my control. What is in my control is how I approach my rehab and my mindset.

When I started talking to others, I realised I wasn’t alone. I spoke to Sai Sudarshan, Riyan (Riyan Parag), Mayank Yadav, Aman (Aman Khan), Asha (Asha Sobhana) we shared experiences asked each other how we were feeling. That made me calmer.

Even spending time with players at the Centre of Excellence helped. I approached Jasprit Bumrah and asked if I could get 10 minutes of his time. He was so welcoming. We ended up having a long conversation about bowling and about dealing with tough phases. He told me it’s okay to be in this space and that I’ll learn from it. That meant a lot.

Surya also spoke to me at length. I walked out of that room feeling so much lighter. Those conversations were like mentorship. It made me believe I can do this.”

Upon being retained by RCB and the emotional moment that followed, Shreyanka expressed her gratitude for the franchise’s faith and support throughout her journey.
“I had so many doubts about whether I would be retained. Playing for RCB is a dream for me. I couldn’t imagine wearing another jersey. I even thought about the auction, what if I go unsold? So many thoughts were running in my head.

Then Malo sir (Malolan Rangarajan) called and said, ‘You’ve been retained, Patil.’ I was blank. I just said thank you. After cutting the call, I video called Arjun sir and started crying. That’s when it hit me. It was a huge boost of confidence. From that day, something changed in me. I was counting down to WPL. I told myself, no matter what, I won’t miss this one.”

Speaking about her return to competitive cricket and winning overseas after nearly 14 months out, she said:
“My first tournament after almost a year was special. I was just grateful to be back on the field. Every time I stepped onto the grass, I felt that energy again. Even though I didn’t perform exactly how I wanted with the ball, lifting that trophy gave me motivation. In the final, I got a chance to bat and hit two boundaries off my first two balls. Moments like that remind you why you love this game.”

Shreyanka shared how injuries changed her as a person and her growth:
“The amount of learning I got during my injury phase was unbelievable. From physios, trainers, teammates, I realised I was growing. Smriti was the first one to tell me, ‘Shreya, I’ve never seen you this calm.’ I’m still bubbly, but there’s a different calmness now. I’ve grown as a person. I hope I don’t go through injuries again, but if I do, I know I’m in a better place to handle it.”

On missing out on the World Cup despite India’s historic win, she shared:
“I was so happy watching the girls win. It was a dream for all of us. But when I saw the celebrations and the selfies with the medal, I went to my room and cried. Not because we won but because I missed being part of it.

I felt like if I hadn’t been injured, things might have been different. I would have been there, holding that trophy. It was a mix of pride and pain. But I told myself, my story is still being written. I know I belong there. And I’ll work towards that moment again.”