Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Saturday drafted in Sneh Rana as replacement for injured Shreyanka Patil for the remainder of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. File photo
| Photo Credit:  B. Jothi Ramalingam

Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Saturday drafted in Sneh Rana as replacement for injured Shreyanka Patil for the remainder of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025.

Shreyanka, who has played 15 matches for RCB and has scalped 19 wickets with her off-spin, is ruled out of the third edition of tournament due to an unspecified injury.

“Challenges are tough, Shrey. But you’re tougher. We know how hard you tried to get fit before #WPL2025. And how badly you’ll miss being a part of our campaign, and we will carry your energy and spirit with us on the field as well!,” the RCB mentioned in a post on their official X account.

“Get well soon and come back stronger! Can’t wait to see you play in the Red Blue and Gold of RCB next year,” the franchise added.

Shreyanka had also missed the white ball assignments at home against the West Indies and Ireland last year because of an injury.

The 30-year-old Rana, who is an off-spin all-rounder, has previously played for Gujarat Giants in the WPL.

She has joined RCB for Rs 30 lakh.

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru began their title defence with a six-wicket win over Gujarat Giants at Vadodara on Friday.

Royal Challengers Bangalore women bowler Shreyanka Patil. File.
| Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

She was the cynosure of all eyes on Sunday having played a massive role in RCB’s WPL triumph but Tuesday night gave ‘Purple Cap’ winner Shreyanka Patil a chance to enjoy a rare ‘Fan Girl’ moment with none other than Virat Kohli.

The 21-year-old off-spinner, who had been a revelation in both eliminator and final with her match-winning performances at the death, couldn’t stop gushing on social media when she realised that her childhood idol actually knew her name.

“Started watching cricket cos of him. Grew up dreaming to be like him. And last night, had the moment of my life,” she wrote on ‘X’, posting her picture alongside Kohli from the RCB ‘Unbox’ event.

“Virat said, ‘Hi Shreyanka, well bowled.’ He actually knows my name,” the surreal feeling was yet to sink and it was understandable from her post.

Shreyanka was picked up by RCB during inaugural WPL auctions last year at base price of Rs 10 lakh and she finished with six wickets in seven matches, the most for her team.

In September, the 21-year-old offie played in the CPL for Guyana Amazon Warriors, where she finished with the most wickets (9) in the tournament.

The performances were noticed by the Indian selectors, who called her up for the home T20 series against England in December last year and she made her national team debut on December 6.

Since then there has been no looking back for the youngsters, who battled many a injuries, to stake her claim in the national team with her performances.

Shreyanka has so far represented India in two ODIs and six T20Is, picking up four and and eight wickets respectively.