‘I thought about giving up cricket’ - Shreyanka Patil opens up on battle with depression during injury layoff

India women’s all-rounder Shreyanka Patil has made a heartfelt revelation about the mental challenges she faced during a prolonged injury setback, admitting that she struggled with depression and even contemplated walking away from cricket altogether.

Currently representing India in the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026, Shreyanka has made a strong return to international cricket after spending more than a year on the sidelines due to multiple injuries.

The off-spinner played a key role in India’s commanding 64-run victory over Pakistan in their tournament opener, delivering a disciplined spell. However, her journey back to the national setup was far from straightforward.

Shreyanka’s injury troubles began during the Asia Cup in July 2024 when she suffered a fractured finger against Pakistan. What followed was an extended rehabilitation period that included severe shin injuries in both legs and a fractured left thumb. The 22-year-old remained out of competitive cricket for nearly 14 months before eventually making her comeback for Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women in the Women’s Premier League earlier this year.

Reflecting on the difficult phase, Shreyanka admitted that the mental toll of being away from the game was immense, but the unwavering support of her family helped her push through the darkest moments.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t depressed or that I didn’t think about giving up cricket. That’s how I felt initially during the injury phase. But there was a voice inside me saying, ‘No matter what, I love playing this sport. I’m here only because I love playing it’,” Shreyanka told JioStar.

“So, I couldn’t give up on something I love doing. I kept my head high, my dad kept talking to me, and my family supported me throughout. The atmosphere around me and the strong support system I had, I was always surrounded by great people. That kept me going," she continued.

While India began their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign in dominant fashion, Shreyanka emphasised the importance of maintaining focus as tougher challenges lie ahead in the competition.

“We know that Australia and South Africa are top teams as well. It’s a World Cup, and you never know; anything can happen. So, you have to be at your best on the given day, and if you do everything right, you’ll end up on the winning side,” she said.

After a thumping win over Pakistan, the Indian team will now take on Netherlands on June 17 at the Headingley Cricket Ground before facing Bangladesh, Australia, and South Africa in their remaining group-stage encounters.