WPL 2026: Anushka Sharma sidelined for few games due to hand injury

Gujarat Giants Women all-rounder Anushka Sharma is set to miss a short period of action after sustaining a minor injury while fielding during the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 match against Delhi Capitals Women on Sunday, January 11.

In an official statement, the franchise confirmed that Anushka is under close observation from the team’s medical staff and is recovering well, expressing optimism about her return in the near future. As a result of the injury, the all-rounder could not feature in GG’s subsequent fixture against the Mumbai Indians on Tuesday and was seen with a strapping on her right hand ahead of the match.

“Anushka is under the close supervision of the team’s medical staff and is progressing well. She will be a big miss for the side, but her health and long-term well-being remain our priority,” Gujarat Giants stated in an official release.

Speaking after the side’s loss to the Mumbai Indians, head coach Michael Klinger indicated that the team was hopeful of having Anushka available again around the start of the Vadodara leg of the tournament, scheduled to begin on January 19.

“Yeah, we’re unsure. We’re hoping it’s only a game or two, and then she’ll be back. She just needs a period of rest for her hand, and then we’re confident she’ll return during the Vadodara leg. It’s being assessed, and her hand is in a sort of cast at the moment to keep it still. We’re just trying to give her the best chance to heal over the next week or so,  and then hopefully be right for Baroda.” Klinger told in post match conference.

The Giants still have one fixture remaining in Navi Mumbai before moving to Vadodara against Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women on 16th January.

Speaking more of Anushka, the Madhya Pradesh cricketer had made a strong impression on her WPL debut earlier in the season, scoring a fluent 44 off 30 deliveries, smashing seven fours batting at number three against UP Warriorz in their tournament opening encounter. That innings also included a match-defining 103-run partnership with captain Ashleigh Gardner.

In the following match against Delhi Capitals, Anushka added a six and a four during her brief ten-ball stay and also caught attention with a spectacular acrobatic fielding effort near the boundary to prevent Jemimah Rodrigues from clearing the ropes. While she is also an off-spin option, she has yet to bowl in the tournament.