Here is the full transcript of Shreyanka Patil’s exclusive interview with India Today
Looking back on the period from October 2024 to September 2025, what are the most important lessons you have learned and how has this phase shaped you on and off the pitch?
I learned a lot in that year. There have been disappointments and ups and downs, but what I have gained as a person is more maturity and an understanding of how to navigate difficult situations. Physically I wasn’t very fit and mentally I felt at the bottom, so I had to figure out how to get out of it myself.
It wasn’t a clear answer that I could get from someone else – it was a personal journey. I experimented with different approaches: visualization, meeting new people, meditation, staying calm and managing my injuries. Through trial and error, I discovered my own way forward. I have learned a lot from my mistakes, both as an individual and as a cricketer.
Being injured and down mentally was challenging because I couldn’t do what I love the most – play cricket. During that year, I often asked myself, “What’s next? Will I be able to play again?” I am very grateful that I was able to overcome these thoughts and emerge stronger, calmer and more focused.
As a cricketer, once you know that you have faced and overcome a tough period, getting back on the field will really reward you. I felt lucky to be back doing what I love, and that gratitude made the experience even more meaningful.
Calling off Georgia Voll, Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland in a must-win match against Australia, can we say that Shreyanka Patil’s X-factor has really rocked?
I want to go back to my first T20 match against Australia – that was my real comeback. I’ve played against GG 11 before, but this was different. I was excited, nervous and determined to impress – to put India in a position to win. That was my mindset during practice against GG 11.
When I headed to Sydney for my T20 comeback against Australia, stepping into the SCG was surreal. I had imagined it so many times and it was an incredible feeling to be there. The first game didn’t go as planned – I was bowled for 24 runs in 2 overs and felt confused and frustrated. On the bus to Canberra I had a long conversation with Arjun, someone I trust deeply. I expressed what worked, what didn’t, and even shed tears. His advice really helped me regain perspective.
In Canberra I felt comfortable again and with a clear mind during training. I missed the second T20 which was disappointing but I understood that cricket is full of ups and downs. I was focused on the third T20, a must-win game. When I stepped onto Adelaide Oval, I was in a different mindset. I felt confident, inspired by the greats who had performed there before, and wanted to do something special.
I kept thinking of Rahul Dravid’s 233 and also of Virat Kohli – he scored a lot of runs on this ground. I talked to my friends and told them, ‘I think this is my game. I will do something special on this land. The energy of the crowd was amazing – fans asking for photos, cheering – it gave me a huge boost.
From the first ball I felt like, ‘I’m back.’ Taking Perry’s wicket was a dream moment, something I had imagined for years. I even remembered tweeting about her 300th game and here I was taking a wicket in her 350th game. Later, the dismissal of Georgia and Sutherland during a crucial spell was unbelievable,” added Shreyanka.
How important was your first WPL five-wicket haul in helping you regain confidence and find your rhythm in international cricket?
I think having five wickets in the bag is something you can really brag about – it’s a special achievement. It takes strength and guts to get five wickets and I did that against the Giants. Taking Meg Lanning’s wicket again was particularly satisfying. On my return to the WPL, this achievement is incredibly special. I’m really grateful – getting five wickets is something I’ve always dreamed of.
You manifested at Lord’s last year to lift the T20 World Cup trophy. Did you feel those butterflies in your stomach just three months before the finals?
There are no butterflies right now – I’m just focused on getting better. After winning the T20 series against Australia, our focus shifts to the five T20s against South Africa in South Africa. The goal is to win the series and build momentum leading into the World Championships in London. I am taking it one game at a time and preparing to make an impact in the Indian team. Maybe when the World Cup gets closer I’ll start to feel the butterflies, but for now it’s all about focus and performance.
At the recent Naman Awards, the BCCI honored the five World Cup winning teams. Did a part of you think, ‘Yes, Shreyanka Patil deserves to be there too’?
I missed being there – dressing up, stepping onto the field and collecting the trophy in front of so many talented cricketers. Being injured and missing from the World Cup squad was tough, but I had to take it as motivation: to improve, work hard and strive for the next team to win another title for India. That’s my mindset and hopefully the next time we win the World Cup, I’ll be there to pick up a medal too.
With the tour of South Africa coming up next month and you having very less bowling experience outside the subcontinent, how do you approach this series knowing that a good performance could seal your place in the T20 World Cup?
I believe in my abilities. I know I can turn the ball on any pitch and try to put that extra spin – it just comes naturally to me. I applied this approach in Australia and I am preparing in the same way for South Africa. I will focus on adapting to the conditions there, I will train, find out what bowling styles work best and then guide them to perform well.
Shreyanka, after India’s recent struggles in the ODI series in Australia, do you see this as an opportunity to push yourself and stake your claim to return to the ODI set-up?
I focus on doing my best for the team, whichever team I play for. It’s the T20 World Cup right now, so for every game I get, I want to make an impact and contribute to winning matches or titles. I’m not thinking too far ahead about being in the Test team or the ODI team – I just want to perform consistently, focus on winning every game and let everything else fall naturally.
Finally, tell us about 317, the story behind the name of the perfume, what inspired you to create it and what the brand means to you personally
I am very happy and proud that this is my first shop. I am excited to launch my perfume brand, 317, which has a very personal story for me. 317 represents so many meaningful things: my birthday is 3/17, we lifted the WPL trophy for RCB for the first time on March 17, and my serial number in the first ever auction was 317. My family, my coach and I kept noticing these coincidences and felt we had to do something special with this number.
We decided on a perfume brand. I took it very personally – sitting with Arjun, my brother and family, testing the fragrances, deciding what I wanted and what I loved. It was a wonderful, personal experience, like “me time”. In the end, we created a fragrance that I really love and believe others will too. I am very grateful and proud to say that 317 is my brand.
