WPL 2025: Why is RCB-W spinner Shreyanka Patil not playing against GJ-W? - Explained
Shreyanka Patil was the best bowler for RCB in their title-winning campaign last season and won the Purple Cap with 13 wickets in eight matches.
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The defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), faced a major setback in their opening match of the ongoing Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 against Gujarat Giants at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara as star spinner Shreyanka Patil was absent from the playing XI. Patil who was the best bowler for RCB in their title-winning campaign last season and won the Purple Cap with 13 wickets in eight matches was missing from the squad due to a prolonged injury.
The BCCI had earlier confirmed that Shreyanka suffered from ‘shin splints,’ which kept her out of cricket since the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup in the UAE. She subsequently missed India’s tour of Australia and the home series against West Indies and Ireland. Despite her efforts to recover, there has been no official update from RCB regarding her availability for the rest of the tournament.
On the other hand, ace RCB all-rounder Ellyse Perry confirmed before the match that she would not be bowling in the initial games of WPL 2025. The Australian suffered a hip injury during the Women's Ashes Test against England at the MCG last month. While she is fit enough to bat, her bowling is restricted due to ongoing rehabilitation.
Apart from Shreyanka and Perry, RCB is also without several crucial players. Sophie Devine, a senior player in the squad, has opted out of the tournament due to personal reasons. Additionally, Sophie Molineux, Kate Cross, and Asha Sobhana are all sidelined with injuries. Meanwhile, RCB won the toss and elected to bowl first.
“It's good to be back in Baroda. We were here a month back. I thought it was going to be Gujarat's home ground but looks like it is our home ground. We would like to bowl first. Dew is a big factor so it is better to have a few overs out before dew comes in. We had good practice sessions, preparation has been good. Few forced changes. Perry, Wareham, Danny, and Kim are the four overseas players,” Smriti Mandhana said at the toss.
Also Read: Watch: Virat Kohli's message to RCB women ahead of WPL 2025 opening game
On the other hand, Gujarat skipper Ashleigh Gardner revealed that the side would have wanted to bowl first had they won the toss.
"We were going to bowl as well but that's okay. We have built a good rapport with the Gujarat girls. We have got youth and experience in our team. Excited to get started. Five debutants," Gujarat skipper Ashleigh Gardner said at the toss.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (Playing XI): Smriti Mandhana(c), Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Ellyse Perry, Raghvi Bist, Richa Ghosh(w), Kanika Ahuja, Georgia Wareham, Kim Garth, Prema Rawat, Joshitha V J, Renuka Thakur Singh
Gujarat Giants Women (Playing XI): Laura Wolvaardt, Beth Mooney(w), Dayalan Hemalatha, Ashleigh Gardner(c), Deandra Dottin, Harleen Deol, Simran Shaikh, Tanuja Kanwar, Sayali Satghare, Priya Mishra, Kashvee Gautam.
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