India all-rounder Shreyanka Patil will be returning to competitive cricket after a 14-month injury layoff when she features for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru women’s team (RCB) in the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL 2026).

What Shreyanka thought would be a brief injury absence turned into a 14-month struggle punctuated by shin splints, a wrist injury, and a shattered left thumb just as she was recovering to full fitness in mid-2025.

While Shreyanka battled the physical agony, she realized the issues were mainly emotional. She had missed the WPL 2025, the Sri Lanka tri-series, and the England tour, but the reality of having spent so much time abroad hit her all at once when she missed the ODI World Cup at home.

As she sets her eyes on a cricketing return in WPL 2026, Shreyanka opened up about how Jasprit Bumrah became a source of inspiration during one of the toughest phases of her career.

She stated that she contacted Jasprit Bumrah, who is no stranger to injury issues, for advice and confidence as she navigated the physical and mental obstacles of her return.

"What he also told me was that this is okay, what you're going through; everyone will go through it. You're facing this at a very young age. So just be in it. Don't fight it; just be in it. So that was lovely advice from him, because he's also gone through a lot of injuries himself,” Shreyanka told RCB.

Given her own position as a bowler who is frequently tasked with performing under extreme pressure, Shreyanka stated that she was especially eager to learn from Bumrah about perfecting the art of death bowling.

"When I got to know that Bumrah is coming to COE, I was a little excited. I was like, I have lots of questions to ask. And then I went to him. And he, being a very sweet person, kind of said, "Okay, let's talk someday." And then after a couple of days, he's like, Shreyanka, if you're free, let's have a chat. I was like, Oh, okay,” Shreyanka said.

"I had a few questions regarding bowling, as he bowls a lot under pressure. I know he's a fast bowler, and I'm a spinner, but I do bowl in the death overs too. So, I wanted to ask him, How do you practice when it comes to yorkers?

Is it like you bowl to batters, you bowl to hitters, or you just do spot bowling? I had those questions. And then he came up with some brilliant answers,” Shreyanka added.

At the COE in Bengaluru, Shreyanka focused on her recuperation and fitness. She made a comeback with the Barbados Royals in the Women's Caribbean Premier League (CPL), where she picked up just one wicket in five appearances while displaying flashes of promise.

Since then, Shreyanka has gradually found her groove while playing for Karnataka in the Senior Women's T20 Trophy. At an economy rate of 6.31, she has taken five wickets in eight games.

Shreyanka has featured in three ODIs and 16 T20Is for India and has taken 20 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 6.73.