Women’s cricket is soaring to new heights. From having it in Commonwealth Games to having a Womens IPL in 2023, women’s cricket has come a long way. Cricketers try to leave their mark wherever they get to play.
BCCI allows only women cricketers to play in foreign leagues. We have seen Harmanpreet, Smriti, and Jemimah play in Big Bash League and in The Hundred as well.
Now Shreyanka Patil, the 20-year-old, has become the first Indian cricketer to be a part of the Caribbean Premier League 2023. She will be playing in the colors of Guyana Amazon Warriors.
Who is Shreyanka Patil?
A Bangalore-based spin bowling all-rounder, Shreyanka Patil was part of the inaugural Womens Premier League (WPL) 2023. She represented Royal Challengers Bangalore under the captaincy of Smriti Mandhana.
Shreyanka started her cricketing journey by representing Karnataka at under-16 level. Later she made her domestic debut for Karnataka. She was the leading wicket-taker of the Women’s Senior One Day Trophy 2022-23, as she picked up 20 wickets.
Also, she impressed everyone with her notable performances in the WPL. She was the leading wicket-taker for her team and picked up six wickets in the seven games. Also, while batting down the order, Shreyanka showcased her batting skills with a few cameos scoring at a brisk strike rate of over 150.
Further, she rose to fame while performing well in the Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup which took place in Hong Kong. She took nine wickets in just two innings and helped her team win the title. Five wickets in the first game and four in the second, she bowled well. She was awarded the Player of the Tournament for her fantastic run at the tournament.
She becomes the first women cricketer to be a part of the Women’s Caribbean Premier League 2023. Now, she is the first player to feature in a foreign league without making a debut for India as well.
Things don’t end here for Shreyanka, and she will not stop until she makes a debut for India.
Women’s Caribbean Premier League 2023
Caribbean Premier League is a West Indies-based T20 League, which happens every year. Its Women’s edition will kick off on August 31, 2023. The tournament includes three teams, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Trinbago Knight Riders and Barbados Royals. The Tournament will have a total of seven matches which will last for eleven days.
The CPL is known for its exciting brand of cricket. It is one of the popular leagues as it provides a platform for cricketers of all countries. Indian cricketers were yet to appear in this league until now. Patil’s signing with Guyana Amazon Warriors team makes her the first Indian women cricketer to be playing in the Caribbean Premier League 2023.
Here are the squads of the three teams:
Barbados Royals: Hayley Matthews, Chinelle Henry, Qiana Joseph, Gaby Lewis, Afy Fletcher, Aaliyah Alleyne, Marizanne Kapp, Laura Harris, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Rashada Williams, Jannillea Glasgow, Chedean Nation, Vanessa Watts, Trishan Holder, Jahzara Claxton
Guyana Amazon Warriors: Stefanie Taylor, Suzie Bates, Shemaine Campbelle, Sophie Devine, Shreyanka Patil, Shabnim Ismail, Djenaba Joseph, Natasha McLean, Ashmini Munisar, Cherry-Ann Fraser, Shabika Gajnabi, Sheneta Grimmond, Karishma Ramharack, Kaysia Schultz, Shakera Selman
Trinbago Knight Riders: Dane van Niekerk, Mignon du Preez, Fran Jonas, Lee-Ann Kirby, Kycia Knight, Deandra Dottin, Shamilia Connell, Britney Coope, Kyshona Knight, Anisa Mohammed, Carena Noel, Orla Prendergast, Samara Ramnath, Shunelle Sawh, Zaida James
Impact of Shreyanka’s Participation in Indian Womens Cricket
Shreyanka’s presence in the CPL will allow her to get exposure and showcase her talent to the rest of the world. The league is popular among women cricketers of many regions. It even has players from England, New Zealand, and South Africa. So, Shreyanka will get time to spend time with global cricketers and learn from them.
She will get to share ideas with them and become familiar with playing in a variety of conditions. The experience she gains from playing in the CPL will help her improve and grow as a cricketer overall.
Shreyanka Patil’s incredible journey not only represents a significant achievement for her. But it serves as an inspiration to many young cricketers in India. Her inclusion will ease the way for many of the young cricketers to participate in global leagues.
Shreyanka’s story will inspire other Indian players to dream big, work hard, and make their mark in global cricket. Her feats demonstrate that with grit and hard work, Indian cricketers can achieve great things.
A few young girls, who embraced WPL with their performances, women’s cricket is developing and advancing towards growth. For Saika Ishaque, Dayalan Hemalatha, and a few more budding cricketers, this signing will be a huge boost. And Shreyanka’s story will serve as an inspiration to those who want to make it on the international stage.
