During an enlightening discussion on the Royal Challengers Bengaluru podcast – Bold and Beyond, Shreyanka Patil, the promising young talent from Bangalore, recounted her incredible journey from being an admirer of Virat Kohli to receiving accolades from her idol. She reflected on the excitement of being recruited by RCB, her learning experiences with Ravi Ashwin, and the unique challenges of bowling at Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Shreyanka Patil recounted her extraordinary moment meeting Virat Kohli following RCB Women’s title victory. As a devoted fan, she had been anxious, wondering when she would finally get to shake his hand.
When that moment arrived, Kohli greeted her by saying, “Hi Shreyanka, well bowled.” Shocked that he recognized her, she was left in disbelief. “Isn’t it amazing that a legend knows my name?” she exclaimed in wonder. For Shreyanka, that brief interaction held immense significance. “I will cherish that statement for the rest of my life,” she declared, holding the memory close to her heart.
She also candidly discussed the emotional rollercoaster she experienced during the WPL auction. With anticipation, she waited for her name to be called, admitting that the unsold status of star all-rounder Hayley Matthews caused her to question her own prospects.
Fate intervened with a 45-minute auction break that heightened her anxiety. When the auction resumed and her name was announced, she was astonished to see RCB place a bid. As the gavel fell, signalling the completion of the deal, she was overcome with emotion.
“I felt blank… I didn’t jump, I didn’t shout, I just hugged my coach, and then the tears flowed. I have no idea why, it just happened,” she recalled, reminiscing about that pivotal moment.
Shreyanka also highlighted her strategy for spin bowling, stating her ambition to be a wicket-taker in all phases—powerplay, middle overs, and death overs—not merely a containment bowler. She has diligently honed her abilities for these stages, drawing inspiration from Ravi Ashwin, whom she regards as a revolutionary in spin bowling.
Before the World Cup, she faced challenges with grip in Dubai due to excessive sweat and dew, which complicated her death bowling. Without hesitation, she reached out to Ashwin for guidance, and was pleasantly surprised by his prompt response, offering advice and assuring her of his availability.
She admires how Ashwin demonstrates the limitless possibilities for spinners. “I just want to absorb all his knowledge; he possesses a scientific approach,” she shared, expressing her respect for him.
Shreyanka talked about the difficulties of bowling at Chinnaswamy Stadium, known as a challenging venue for bowlers. Last year, she faced issues with pace and strategy, only gaining clarity after the Bangalore leg concluded.
The small dimensions of the ground, coupled with heavy dew and the pressure of performing in front of a home crowd, compounded the difficulties. Despite these obstacles, she enjoys the unpredictable nature of the pitch, describing it as both thrilling and daunting.
Image Source: Shreyanka Patil @ Instagram
