Royal Challengers Bangalore spinner Shreyanka Patil described her first five wicket haul during T20 cricket was a memorable moment, following a stunning game in the match against Gujarat Giants. The off-spinner of the future played the lead role in RCB’s dominant win by ripping through the opposition batting line-up in a record-breaking run.
Shreyanka was essentially unplayable on the day. She used different variations in her flight and speed to keep Gujarat batters playing. She was able to isolate stumps and make mistakes was instrumental in helping RCB take control of the game early before settling for an overall victory.
In reflection on the achievement, Shreyanka said the achievement was surreal. She praised the help of her teammates and the coaching staff to boost her confidence. She said that her goal was merely to hit in the right spots and be patient, believing in that the conditions would be in her favor.
“I didn’t even think about wickets. I wanted to do what I always do: keep it easy, strike the right lengths and let the batters make their own mistakes,” she said after the game. “Getting five wickets in a T20 game is something every bowler dreams of.”
The 21-year old also spoke about the fact that playing with skilled world-class cricketers from RCB has helped her develop quickly. She was extremely pleased with the environment of the team and said that the constant encouragement let her express her personality in the field.
Her match-winning run not only smashed Gujarat Giants but also underlined the increasing importance of the RCB’s bowling team. With such performances, Shreyanka continues to strengthen her status in India as being among the top young spin stars.
As the tournament progresses RCB is hoping Shreyanka keeps her lustrous performance and her performance serving as a huge confidence booster both for the player as well as the team.