Indian off-spinner Shreyanka Patil made a powerful comeback by helping Team India secure a dominant 64-run victory against Pakistan in their Women's T20 World Cup opening match following her emotional admission about her mental health struggles. The 23-year-old bowler opened up about her long absence from the sport. She admitted that sitting out for 14 months was incredibly tough on her mind. She even thought about walking away from cricket entirely. Her physical setbacks started back in July 2024. She fractured her finger during an Asia Cup match against Pakistan. Because of these injuries, she missed major milestones, including the 2025 WPL season and India's 2025 Women's World Cup victory.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t depressed or that I didn’t think about giving up cricket. That’s how I felt initially during the injury phase. But there was a voice inside me saying, ‘No matter what, I love playing this sport. I’m here only because I love playing it’," Shreyanka told JioStar. Patil credited her family, especially her father, for keeping her spirits up. She also found comfort by talking to senior players like India star Jasprit Bumrah while doing rehab at the Centre of Excellence. He reminded her to trust the process and not fight the phase. “My dad kept talking to me, and my family supported me throughout. I was always surrounded by great people. That kept me going," she said, adding, “I love being back on the field now, and I won’t let that feeling go.”

Shreyanka Patil takes catch of her life against Pakistan in T20 World Cup opener

The gravity-defying catch by Shreyanka Patil took place during the 14th over of Pakistan's innings on June 14, 2026. India was defending a high total of 170 runs at the Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham. Pakistan's batting lineup was collapsing quickly under intense pressure from India's spin attack. Pakistan was left struggling at 91-7 when this unforgettable moment happened. Indian bowler Shree Charani bowled a smart delivery to Pakistan's Rameen Shamim. Wanting to break free from India's tight bowling, Shamim decided to go for a big, aggressive aerial shot. However, she completely mistimed the ball, sending it high up into the air. The ball looked like it would land safely in a vacant area on the field. Patil read the ball perfectly from her fielding position. She sprinted across the grass with incredible speed.

Seeing she was still a few feet away, Patil launched herself into the air. She went completely horizontal, stretching both arms out. Patil snatched the ball out of thin air just inches before it could hit the ground. She held onto the ball securely even as she slid hard across the turf. The breathtaking catch instantly grabbed global headlines. It completely ended any minor hopes of a Pakistan fightback. The incredible fielding display pumped up the Indian team, who wrapped up the rest of the game easily. India bowled Pakistan out for just 106 runs. They sealed a massive 64-run victory to kick off their T20 World Cup campaign in style.