Shreyanka Patil ruled out of Women's Asia Cup 2024; Uncapped Gujarat Giants spinner named replacement

India's women's team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, has suffered a major setback, with off-spinner Shreyanka Patil ruled out of the T20 Asia Cup 2024. The Asian Cricket Council announced that Shreyanka Patil will miss the remainder of the tournament due to a fractured finger in a media release on Saturday, July 20.

Shreyanka Patil sustained a fracture to the fourth finger of her left hand during the Indian cricket team's tournament opener against Pakistan on Friday, July 19. The all-rounder injured her finger while attempting to take a catch during Pakistan's batting at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla.

However, the 21-year-old spinner bowled 3.2 overs during the recent match. She picked up two wickets for 14 runs during India's T20 Asia Cup opener. The Pakistan women's team was bowled out for a below-par total of 108 in 19.2 overs. The Women in Blue chased the target in 14.2 overs with seven wickets remaining.

Earlier this year, Shreyanka suffered a hairline fracture on the same hand during the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024. She returned at the end of the event after missing several RCB games. She took four wickets in the final to help RCB win the title. She earned the Purple Cap and Emerging Player of the Season.

Asian Cricket Council Issues Statement on Shreyanka Patil's Injury

The Asian Cricket Council announced that Shreyanka Patil was ruled out of the Women's Asia Cup due to an injury sustained while fielding against Pakistan. Tanuja Kanwar, the 26-year-old uncapped left-arm spinner from the Gujarat Giants in the WPL and Railways in domestic cricket, has been called up to replace Patil.

“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.

“In place of her, Tanuja Kanwer will join the team,” the Asian Cricket Council statement added.

Tanuja Kanwar, from Himachal Pradesh, made a notable impact in the WPL. She took 10 wickets in eight matches during the 2024 WPL at an average of 20.70 with an economy rate of 7.13. Earlier, she excelled with 3/26 in the One Day Trophy final, ending the tournament with 18 wickets at an average of 11.16.

India is currently at the top of the Group A table in the ongoing tournament. Harmanpreet Kaur's team will take on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in their next match in Dambulla on July 21. A win over the UAE will secure India a semi-final spot. In contrast, the UAE enters this match after a six-wicket loss to Nepal.

Smriti Mandhana has been in exceptional form with the bat. She recently scored consecutive centuries in the ODIs against South Africa. Mandhana also smashed a hundred in the Test match between India and South Africa. In the match against Pakistan, she played a crucial innings, scoring 45 runs off 31 deliveries.

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