India women’s cricketer Shreyanka Patil has spoken up about the trolling she has experienced as a result of sharing reels and videos on social media.
On social media, the video drew backlash and mockery. At the Karnataka Roundtable on Wednesday, August 26, Shreyanka told India Today's Rajdeep Sardesai that she does not see the attention negatively and that both praise and criticism keep people talking about her.
“I mean, honestly, it gives me a lot of attention. People are actually seeing me and saying, ‘Oh, she’s doing so well.’ Whether you troll me, criticize me, or appreciate me, I think it’s all for my good. I don’t see trolls as trolls because I love what I’m doing. I love being on Instagram, I love dancing, and I love wearing the dresses I want to wear,” Shreyanka said at the Karnataka Roundtable, via India Today.
She went on to say that she doesn't let criticism control how she expresses herself and is happy with the decisions she has made. Shreyanka stated that instead of worrying about her critics, she would rather concentrate on the things that bring her joy.
“I’m not shy about saying that because I’m comfortable with who I am. I’m comfortable dancing to any song and doing what makes me happy. I love doing what I love, and trolls are just going to remain trolls. They’re probably just jealous that I’m doing well,” Shreyanka said.
Shreyanka recently endured a harrowing phase in her cricket career due to injuries. After a 16-month hiatus, she resumed playing international cricket earlier this year. However, in June, she sustained another ankle injury that prevented her from competing in the Women's T20 World Cup in England.
Shreyanka remembers discussing the possibility of giving up the sport with her coach, Arjun Dev, during this trying time. The web series Operation Safed Sagar, however, altered her viewpoint. She was able to appreciate the chance to overcome obstacles, get back on the field, and keep pursuing the sport she loves thanks to the series.
“Actually, what changed my life after this injury was watching Operation Safed Sagar. After the injury during the World Cup, I told my coach, who was sitting right here, that I didn’t want to play cricket anymore. I was done with it. I kept asking myself, ‘Why me? Why am I getting injured so many times?’ I don’t want to get emotional, but those feelings are still inside me. I wondered why I should play cricket just to keep getting injured," Shreyanka said.
“But then I watched this series, and it completely changed my perspective. I realized that there, even with one second here and there, you can give your life for your country. But here, whether you fail or do well, you can wake up and play on the field again. There’s nothing like that—you can have a bad day and still wake up and play the same sport you love,” Shreyanka added.
Shreyanka Patil was not named in India’s squad for the Women’s Asia Cup 2026 but has been included in the squad, provisionally, for the 2026 Asian Games, to be held in Japan.
