The captain of the Sri Lankan women’s cricket team recently got back on her feet after a successful surgery at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital (KDAH). Shashikala Siriwardene had sustained an injury during the Women’s World Twenty20 series, which was organised in India in the month of April 2016.
While 10 international teams of women cricket champions visited India for the fifth edition of the 2016 ICC Women’s World Twenty20, the Sri Lankan women’s cricket team missed their captain on their way back to their home country post the tournament.
Siriwardene, an all-rounder, had injured herself during the warm up match against India in Bengaluru. However, even though she continued playing against New Zealand in Delhi in pain, as her medical condition deteriorated further, she was advised to undergo tests by her personal physiotherapist. An MRI identified a grade three-tear injury, and after that her physiotherapist immediately advised her to rush to KDAH for a surgery.
Head of Centre for Sports Medicine at KDA, Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala conducted a left proximal hamstring avulsion repair surgery, which completely fixed the torn hamstring. “We could understand her apprehensions about continuing her cricket career after this injury. Therefore, it was very critical to encourage her mentally while treating her physically. Keeping in mind her profession, we carefully operated on her so that she could start playing normally as soon as possible”, said Dr Pardiwala. For the first six weeks, Siriwardene walked with the help of crutches, and now got back to her feet recently this week and started taking physiotherapy sessions at the hospital.
Currently, undergoing physiotherapy, the energetic Siriwardene said, “I was a bit scared when I heard about the surgery. But the doctor really encouraged me and assured me that I would be able to play normally. The hospital made me feel at home with its amicable staff and prompt service. My leg feels completely fine now. I can’t wait for the recommended rest period of four months to end, before I get back on my feet and start playing again.”
