Ahead of her return to competitive cricket in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League (WCPL), Indian all-rounder Shreyanka Patil engaged in a fun and thought-provoking exercise: picking her dream T20 team. After missing almost a year of action due to a finger injury and facing a tough snub from the Indian World Cup squad, Shreyanka’s CPL stint with the Barbados Royals is a crucial step towards her comeback. Her dream T20 side is a unique and captivating mix of male and female cricketers from various eras and nations, offering a glimpse into her ideal playing style.
Shreyanka’s dream T20 team is a testament to her affinity for the aggressive and flamboyant style of cricket. The top order is dominated by the iconic Royal Challengers Bengaluru trio of Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers, all of whom have etched their names in T20 history with their explosive batting. Beyond the men’s superstars, Shreyanka has shown immense admiration for her female peers by including four of them in her eleven. Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur, known for her powerful hitting, is a key inclusion. She is joined by the hard-hitting Australian Grace Harris and West Indian all-rounder Chinelle Henry. Patil was persuaded to pick herself, placing herself at number seven, and also included Australian spin champion Sophie Molineux at number eight. This mix of genders and eras makes for a truly formidable and well-rounded team, reflecting a deep appreciation for diverse skill sets in the T20 format.
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While the inclusions in Shreyanka’s dream team are intriguing, the omissions are just as revealing. In a surprising move, she left out the two Indian T20 World Cup-winning captains, MS Dhoni (2007) and Rohit Sharma (2024). This decision indicates that her selection criteria went beyond leadership or national sentiment, focusing instead on players she admires for their individual on-field prowess. The team is built on a foundation of aggressive, match-winning talent, from the boundary-clearing abilities of Andre Russell, who she noted would bat above her, to the pinpoint accuracy of Jasprit Bumrah and the spin wizardry of Rashid Khan. The public disclosure of her dream XI is more than just a fun activity; it is a clear statement of intent. As she embarks on her WCPL journey, Patil will be aiming to put on spirited performances to stage a strong comeback to the Indian side, embodying the very qualities she admires in her hand-picked dream team.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
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