Hailing Indias star in the making Shreyanka Patil, once-Australian cricketer Ellyse Perry said, Shes a real special star for the future. I havent seen someone like that of her age around the world for a long time, with that kind of skill and just attitude.When someone as legendary as Ellyse Perry heaps praise on you, theres definitely something worth noticing. Perry played alongside Shreyanka for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Womens Premier League (WPL). Thats where the Australian legend spotted the upcoming Indian talent. Back then, Shreyanka was all about fearless batting as a youth.Eventually, Shreyanka also made a name as one of the most lethal bowlers in domestic cricket. From being someone unknown before the start of the WPL, she became one of the brightest prospects in Indian cricket by the end of the year.Shreyanka rises for IndiaPlayers like Shreyanka, she is no doubt going to play for India in the years to come. Seeing what she can do with the ball and how she struck the ball, I think I need to go to her for a six-hitting guide, New Zealands Sophie Devine had predicted during the WPL.Devines prediction did not go wrong. Shreyanka earned her maiden call-up for India in the recently concluded T20I series against England. She gave away 44 runs in the series opener but picked up two wickets, one of which was of the opposition skipper, Heather Knight, who was castled after playing down the wrong line.For her vital contribution with the ball and taking 3️⃣ wickets, Shreyanka Patil is the Player of the Match 👏Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/k4PSsXN2T6 #TeamIndia | #INDvENG | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/yiMPCa8iAH— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) December 10, 2023In the second game, the 21-year-old did not have much to do as England were chasing a target of 81. It was in the third and final game of the series that Shreyanka showed what she can do, at least with the ball in hand.Shreyanka Patil - continues to shine...!!! pic.twitter.com/4hQg4uf39N— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) December 10, 2023Shreyanka scalped the wickets of Freya Kemp, Bess Heath and Sophie Ecclesone, and finished with figures of 4-0-19-3. After India secured a victory by six wickets, Shreyanka was named as the Player of the Match.Shreyanka, who was over the moon, said after the match, Very happy because its the first time I am getting a three-for. My coach and parents are watching. Love to continue the performance. The experience I got in WPL and with India A was crucial. I am happy to be chipping in. Impeccable beginning in T20IShreyanka scored 62 runs for RCB in the inaugural edition of the WPL, but her strike rate of 151.21 was only second-best to Sophie Devines 172.72. She also finished the tournament as the leading wicket-taker for her team with six scalps, with an economy rate of 9.84.On the back of her performance, Shreyanka became the first Indian player to take part in the Womens Caribbean Premier League (CPL) when she was picked up by the Guyana Amazon Warriors.With nine wickets from five matches, she finished as the leading wicket-taker. Moreover, she became the first Indian to finish as either the top run-scorer or the highest wicket-taker in any overseas T20 league.It doesnt come as a surprise that Shreyanka was retained by RCB for the upcoming edition of the WPL. Given how she has played in the last few months, the Bangalore-born prodigy is expected to play a more important role than she did last season.
