'I'm coming back with some masala in my bowling'

FOR Shreyanka Patil, pressure has become a familiar companion rather than a burden.

- SRUTHI HEMACHANDRAN

The off spinner, who emerged as Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) leading wicket taker and Purple Cap winner during their Women's Premier League (WPL) title run in 2024, approaches high-stakes moments with calm, shaped by preparation. “Before I bowl, especially when I feel I’m under pressure, I take a moment, breathe, and smile. When you smile, your nerves ease down,” says Shreyanka at the Chess and Chill night at the RCB Bar and Cafe, hosted by Fyers American Gambits.

Bowling across phases, Shreyanka is often trusted in difficult overs. When it comes to structuring her training, she mirrors it with match-day stress. “The way I practice is mostly based on what I face on a game day. Practising under pressure has helped me reach a stage where I believe I can do it,” she says. That belief, Shreyanka feels, is as vital as skill.