The Indian women's cricket team has made a change to its squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026, with spinner Prema Rawat replacing the injured Shreyanka Patil. The announcement was made by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday, June 19, 2026.
Who is Prema Rawat?
Prema Rawat is a 24-year-old left-arm spinner from Uttarakhand who has been making waves in domestic cricket. She has represented India in a few T20Is and ODIs, showcasing her ability to take wickets in the middle overs. Her inclusion adds depth to the spin department, which already features experienced players like Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav.
Shreyanka Patil's Injury
Shreyanka Patil, a promising all-rounder, sustained a knee injury during a practice session last week. After medical assessments, the team management decided to rule her out of the tournament. Patil had been in good form, having taken 12 wickets in the previous T20I series against Australia.
Impact on the Squad
Rawat's selection bolsters India's spin options on the slow pitches expected in the tournament. She has a good record in domestic T20s, with 45 wickets in 30 matches at an economy rate of 6.8. The team management is confident that she can adapt quickly to the international stage.
India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan on June 25, 2026, in Dubai. The team is aiming to win their first T20 World Cup title after finishing as runners-up in the previous edition.
