‘Just grateful’: Shreyanka Patil celebrates Asian Games gold after three-month injury layoff

Off-spinner Shreyanka Patil played her part in India winning an Asian Games gold but Tuesday's triumphant outing has also left her "grateful" to have returned to the field after a three-month injury-forced layoff.

Shreyanka scalped two wickets for nine runs from 1.4 overs as India beat Sri Lanka by 147 runs in the final here to retain their gold.

"Very happy with the win and the whole campaign was good for us. We've done really well with the ball, with the bat," she said after the final.

"More than anything else, I was just very grateful that I'm back on the field after three months. It's very hard when you have back-to-back injuries and then you're out for a while and then again you come back. It's always a joy," she added.

The 24-year-old suffered an ankle injury during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in England and Wales and her first competitive outing since that unfortunate turn of events ended in golden glee.

"If you stay positive and if you keep telling that, okay, you can do it, I think anything is possible. That's the reason I think I'm here today and I just enjoy playing. So, when I was there, it was full of happiness and I just couldn't express it.

"So, I was all around jumping, groaning, talking on the field. So, everyone was like, oh, she's back," said Shreyanka, who took four wickets for 39 runs in the three matches she played in this Games.

Asked if she was fearful of playing on a ground which was not of the highest level, Shreyanka said she tried not to overthink about it.

"I wouldn't say fear, but I think, obviously, when you've got an ankle injury and then again you're back on the field, you do have those thoughts, but I try to keep them away. So, I was just trying to talk, tell positive stuff to me.

"And then I'm like, no matter what, you just watch the ball, feel the ball. And then when you get to bowl, you just express yourself. So, I just kept it very simple. And again, I just love playing. I think now, that I've been through a lot of injuries, I know how to keep my head strong. This was again a great learning experience for me."

The Benglauru cricketer said she was really disappointed when she got injured during the T20 World Cup in India's second match itself.

"The rehab went really well. I was very positive from day one. I didn't let my head down and say okay, I don't think I won't do this at all. But obviously negative thoughts will be there. I just try to keep it quiet and then do what I can do and what's in my control."

The off-spinner said she did not have any thought that she might get injured again, despite the talks about the quality of the pitch and the ground.

"When our physios and the team say we are fit to play, I think I don't have a second doubt. I just come here and express myself and I don't think anything about all of that or it might happen again, it might recur again.

"Those kinds of thoughts were never in my mind. I just wanted to play and enjoy myself and watch the ball," she added.

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