Shreyanka Patil has dismissed criticism over her social media activity, stating that she enjoys dancing and wearing the clothes she chooses. The India batter faced trolling after posting a reel dancing to ‘Babli Badmaash Hai’, a track from the 2013 Bollywood film Shootout at Wadala. Patil recently addressed the negative comments directly and explained her perspective on online criticism.

The 24-year-old expressed confidence in her choices and rejected the notion that trolling affects her outlook or decisions. She emphasised that both appreciation and criticism serve her interests and that she remains comfortable with her public presence.

“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, criticise 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,” Patil said while speaking at an India Today event.

“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,” she added.

Patil’s journey back to cricket has been marked by significant physical challenges. She picked up an ankle injury during India’s Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 match against Netherlands at Headingley, rolling her ankle while fielding in the fifth over. After returning to international cricket earlier in 2026 following a 16-month absence, she faced another setback with this injury during the marquee event.

A web series took retirement thoughts away from Shreyanka’s mind

The ankle injury prompted serious doubts about her future in the sport. Patil spoke to her coach Arjun Dev about potentially quitting cricket after the World Cup injury. She questioned whether continuing to play was worth the physical toll of repeated injuries and the emotional burden they created.

However, the web series Operation Safed Sagar proved transformative in reshaping her outlook on sport and sacrifice. Patil recognised that the characters in it demonstrated a willingness to give their lives for their country, which contrasted sharply with her own situation in professional cricket.

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“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.” Patil said.

“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. But then I watched this series, and it completely changed my perspective. I realised 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,” she added.

The second Test between Sri Lanka and India at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo reached Day 4 on Wednesday, August 26, with India having enforced the follow-on after dismissing Sri Lanka in their first innings. Rain brought an early end to the day’s play with Sri Lanka at 229 for 6, holding a slender lead of 16 runs.

Cheteshwar Pujara, the former India batter, offered his assessment of how captain Shubman Gill managed the team during a critical phase of the match. Pujara examined Gill’s decision-making during the session between lunch and tea, when India faced a particular challenge from Sri Lanka’s batting response.

“If you look at the session between lunch and tea, Shubman was tested as a captain. He went defensive too early. That is where he will have to learn going forward.” Pujara said during a discussion on Sony Sports.

“India were a little shocked with Sri Lanka’s counter-attack. This is where you need to show a little more courage. Encourage your bowlers to still pick up wickets rather than go too defensive,” he added.

Why Pujara felt Gill went defensive too early

Pujara’s criticism centred on Gill’s tactical choices during a specific phase of play when Sri Lanka mounted a strong batting response. The former India batter believed that the captain should have maintained a more aggressive bowling approach rather than shifting to a defensive mindset. Pujara felt this early defensive shift could prove costly against quality opposition in future Test matches.

Pujara expressed confidence that Gill would learn from the experience and refine his captaincy as he continues in the role. The tactical lesson from this session would help shape Gill’s decision-making in high-pressure situations going forward.

How weather influenced India’s follow-on decision

Pujara also shared his take on India’s decision to enforce the follow-on. He explained that the weather conditions played a significant role in the choice. Pujara noted that India’s ground staff would have assessed the rain threat before making the decision to ask Sri Lanka to bat again.

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“I am sure they must have spoken to the ground staff. There was some rain around. The main reason of them enforcing the follow-on was the rain. If there wasn’t any rain around, I think India would have preferred to bat. But, because they picked up those wickets, the decision does not seem wrong as of now,” he added.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam will return to lead his side at Lord’s from August 27 after recovering from a finger injury that forced him to miss the opening Test of the series. Salman Ali Agha captained Pakistan during the first Test at Headingley, where England secured a dominant victory by an innings and 103 runs, dismissing Pakistan for 171 and 135 in their two innings.

The injury was initially sustained during Pakistan’s West Indies tour and was later aggravated when Babar was struck on the hand during a warm-up match against County Select XI at Beckenham in England.

Babar underwent a period of rehabilitation and participated in practice sessions ahead of the Lord’s fixture. His recovery progressed sufficiently to allow him to declare his readiness for the second Test. The captain’s return comes at a critical juncture for Pakistan after the heavy defeat at Headingley, with the series still to be decided.

“I’ve had a couple of practice sessions again and I’m 90 per cent fit for the match tomorrow,” Babar was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times on the eve of the second Test.

Babar’s England record offers hope for Pakistan

Babar’s record in England provides encouragement for Pakistan’s recovery hopes. Across six Test innings in England, he has averaged 65.75 with three half-centuries, demonstrating his ability to perform on English pitches. Against England overall, his career average stands at 53.83 from 14 innings, during which he has scored one century and six fifties. His consistency on English soil suggests he possesses the technical foundation to succeed at Lord’s.

Babar’s form in the preceding West Indies series underlined his readiness for the challenge ahead. He accumulated 193 runs across the tour, showcasing consistency in the lead-up to the England assignment. His presence at the crease will be vital as Pakistan attempt to level the series and restore momentum after the Headingley setback.

Also Read – ENG vs PAK 2026: Second Test match preview

After the drubbing in Headingley, Babar will have to inspire his troops and if he performs well with the bat, it will serve as a shot in the arm for the visiting side.