Shimla’s Renuka Thakur shines on global cricket stage

Spread the news

Rohru pacer played key role in India’s World Cup triumph

Shimla, September 27

Shimla pacer Renuka Singh Thakur played a key role in India’s title-winning campaign at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, strengthening her position as a prominent fast bowler from Himachal Pradesh. Renuka, who hailed from Parsa village in Rohru tehsil, was an important part of India’s pace attack during the tournament.

Born on January 2, 1996, Renuka lost her father, Kehar Singh Thakur, when she was three years old. Her mother, Sunita Thakur, supported the family while working as a Class IV employee.

Renuka began playing cricket with her brother and friends on the village ground. Encouraged by her uncle Bhupendra Singh Thakur, she joined the HPCA Women’s Residential Academy in 2009, where she began formal cricket training.

She later represented Himachal Pradesh at the under-16 and under-19 levels. Renuka gained national recognition after taking 23 wickets in the 2019-20 Senior Women’s One-Day Trophy.

Renuka made her international T20 debut against Australia in October 2021 and her ODI debut against New Zealand in February 2022.

At the 2022 Commonwealth Games, she was India’s leading wicket-taker and contributed to the team’s silver medal finish. She also received the ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year award in 2022.

Renuka was also among the top five bowlers in the T20 rankings, according to the information provided. Her journey from a village in Himachal Pradesh to international cricket came despite limited resources and personal challenges.

She was subsequently selected in India’s squads for the Women’s Asia Cup and the Asian Games. Renuka was the only player from Himachal Pradesh selected for the Indian team for these assignments. She was set to represent India at the Asian Games after the Asia Cup.