Renuka Singh is favored to lead India to victory in the Women’s T20 World Cup
Renuka Singh took 18 ODI wickets at 14.88 with a 4.62 economy and 22 T20I wickets at 23.95 with a 6.50 economy.
To be bowled out for 39 runs in three overs can’t be ideal as India prepares for the T20 World Cup in South Africa, though Renuka Singh will be hoping to pull it off.
It was simply a warm-up game, and the defeat came against Australia, a formidable opponent.
It was still a surprise, given that the Shimla native has been India’s most consistent player since her international debut in 2021. Renuka, 27, was named the International Cricket Council’s Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year.
Renuka made waves on the Commonwealth Games field early in the return of cricket, claiming four wickets against the game’s best top order in a stunning outing against Australia.
The swing bowler claimed Alyssa Healy with an outside edge to Deepti Sharma at slip, before Meg Lanning caught the Australia captain at point with a false cut shot. Tahlia McGrath was beaten with a hooping in-swinger after a nip-backer claimed Beth Mooney.
In 2022, she made the ICC honors list with 17 wickets in 11 matches at an excellent economy of 5.21. Last year, she took 40 wickets for India in 29 matches across two white-ball formats, replacing Jhulan Goswami. Renuka will make her India ODI debut against Australia in 2021, replacing Shikha Pandey. It will be fascinating to see how they bowl together at the World Cup. On Sunday, India will play Pakistan in the first game of the series.
“Both Shikha and Renuka bowl effective inswingers. It will be interesting to see how Harman (skipper Harmanpreet Kaur) uses their eight overs. Shikha’s experience and Renuka’s talent can help tremendously,” Amita added.
Today, India will play their next warm-up game against Bangladesh.
Pawan Sen, one of her early coaches, praised the bowler nicknamed “Perry” (after Australian medium-pacer Elysse Perry), as she made her India debut after a struggle.
“When she was a toddler, her father died. Her mother was the one who raised her and her brother. Despite a strong domestic season, she was devastated when she was not chosen for India in 2019. She fought back and improved her performance the following season. In the last two years, she has gained strength and speed. “She is a smart bowler who will adapt to the conditions and play her best in the World Cup,” he said.
