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In a significant development for India A’s upcoming multi-format tour of Australia in August, all-rounder Shreyanka Patil and leg-spinner Priya Mishra have been ruled out due to injuries. This news comes as a blow to the squad, which was set to feature both promising talents. Patil’s exclusion marks a further delay in her return to competitive cricket, while Mishra’s absence is attributed to an undisclosed injury. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed the players’ status, stating they remain under the care of the BCCI Medical Team at the Centre of Excellence (NCA) and are currently undergoing their respective Return-to-Play protocols. The tour, comprising three T20s, three one-day matches and one four-day match, is scheduled to run from August 7 to August 24.
Delayed fiitness clearance for Shreyanka Patil
Shreyanka was initially named in the India A touring party, albeit with a crucial caveat: her inclusion was subject to fitness clearance from the NCA. Unfortunately, her Return-to-Play date has been extended by more than a week. This delay means that her fitness clearance will not be granted until at least the commencement of the T20 series in Australia on August 7, effectively ruling her out of the entire tour.
Priya Mishra’s undisclosed ailment
Priya Mishra withdrawal from the tour was due to an injury that has not been publicly disclosed. While the specific nature of her ailment remains under wraps, the BCCI’s statement indicates that she, like Shreyanka, is receiving comprehensive medical attention from the board’s dedicated team. Both players are undergoing rigorous rehabilitation programs designed to facilitate their safe and timely return to the sport. The dual loss of two key spin options will undoubtedly necessitate strategic adjustments for the India A coaching staff as they finalize their plans for the challenging tour Down Under. The emphasis on their recovery underscores the BCCI’s commitment to player welfare and ensuring athletes are fully fit before returning to high-intensity competition.
Replacement players
In response to these unforeseen withdrawals, the selectors have moved swiftly to name replacements and adjust the squad composition. Wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia has been added to the one-day side as a belated inclusion, bolstering the batting lineup. For the spin department, Dhara Gujjar will step in for the injured players across the one-day and multi-format matches, while Prema Rawat has been named as a replacement specifically for the T20 segment of the tour. Both Gujjar and Rawat had previously been named in selective squads, and their extended stay for the full tour now provides them with a significant opportunity to showcase their skills on an international stage.
Yastika’s inclusion, particularly in the one-day format, is noteworthy. With the Women’s ODI World Cup just over two months away, her call-up for the India A tour could be an indication that the BCCI is closely monitoring her form and readiness. Yastika was part of India’s squad in the recently concluded three-match ODI series against England, which India won 2-1, though she did not feature in any of the matches. This tour offers her a crucial chance to gain match practice and stake a stronger claim for a spot in the senior World Cup squad.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
