Former India captain Mithali Raj has described the tournament exit of off-spin bowling all-rounder Shreyanka Patil as a 'setback' for the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side, adding that the team management may need to turn to left-arm spinner Radha Yadav to fill the bowling void ahead of India's critical Group A clash against South Africa in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. Shreyanka twisted her right ankle while fielding during India's match against Netherlands at Headingley and was ruled out of the tournament, with leg-spin all-rounder Prema Rawat named as her replacement.

Why Shreyanka's Exit Hurts India

Shreyanka had only recently returned to the India T20I set-up after an extended absence caused by shin splints and a thumb fracture. Her inclusion in the World Cup squad was seen as a calculated tactical move, particularly for her ability to challenge left-handed batters and contribute in the death overs.

'It definitely will be a setback because keeping her in mind, I am sure the support staff did have the strategies and tactical plans in place for this World Cup. She, as an individual player also, looked so forward to the World Cup,' Mithali said at a JioStar Media Day event.

Her absence compounds an already stretched bowling unit. India are also without seam-bowling all-rounders Amanjot Kaur and Kashvee Gautam, who are sidelined with back and knee injuries respectively — leaving the attack thin on pace options.

Radha Yadav as the Likely Plan B

Mithali, serving as an ICC Women's T20 World Cup expert, identified Radha Yadav as the most logical candidate to slot into the third spinner's role alongside left-arm spinner N Sree Charani and off-spin all-rounder Deepti Sharma.

'India's strength has been spinners and Radha Yadav has done decently well in the ODI World Cup and she is part of this squad. So, immediate change, what I see is that if they need a third spinner, she is someone who would step into Shreyanka's role,' she said.

Middle-Order Batting Remains a Concern

Beyond the bowling equation, Mithali flagged India's fragile middle order as an area of serious concern. Against Pakistan, Bharti Fulmali batted at number five and lasted just three balls before falling for a duck. Against Netherlands, Yastika Bhatia came in at five and managed only three runs. With South Africa and Australia still to come, the number five slot remains unsettled.

'We are losing a couple of wickets in a span of a word or two. That is where the pressure is a lot more on the incoming batters,' Mithali observed, adding that wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh is being handed too much to do too late in the innings without adequate platform-building from the middle order.

'Even if they have about a 30 runs partnership, I think that will help greatly for the launch of Richa Ghosh to come in the 15th or 14th over where she takes about two overs, as that gives her a better platform to play the role that she has been playing,' she explained.

Renuka Singh's Form Under the Spotlight

Mithali also weighed in on the conspicuous absence of senior pacer Renuka Singh Thakur from India's opening match against Pakistan, suggesting the team management may have concerns over her current rhythm.

'If in the first game of the World Cup, you opt for Kranti and Arundhati and not for an experienced Renuka Thakur, so clearly, she might not be in the rhythm that the support staff feels for this World Cup,' she said.

However, Mithali noted that conditions could justify a three-seamer attack, pointing to the green, bouncy pitch used for the Australia vs Bangladesh fixture in Leeds as a case in point. 'As long as your seamers are in good rhythm, that is the most important thing,' she added.

What India Must Fix Before the South Africa Clash

India face South Africa on 21 June in a must-watch Group A fixture. The team's spin combination, middle-order batting depth, and the number five slot are the three variables the support staff will need to resolve quickly. With the knockout stage approaching, every decision in the remaining league games carries outsized consequence.