Renuka Singh Thakur, the right-arm medium-fast bowler, hails from Shimla, Himachal Pradesh. She has carved a name for herself in the world of cricket with her stellar performances. She has claimed 35 wickets in 19 ODI innings and 58 wickets in 53 T20I innings, establishing herself as a key asset for Team India.
In the Women’s Premier League (WPL), she represents Royal Challengers Bengaluru and currently holds the Purple Cap for this season with 10 wickets. Recently featured in RCB’s Bold and Beyond podcast, Renuka reflects on her remarkable journey—from the narrow lanes of her village to the grand stage of international cricket—proving that determination and passion can turn dreams into reality.
When asked how she perceives her journey from childhood to representing India, Renuka Singh humbly admitted that she never overthought it. “Actually, I hadn’t thought about it that much. Obviously, I never thought about whether I’d play this or get that, because in childhood, playing was just a hobby,” she shared. However, destiny had other plans, and with the right opportunities at the right time, her passion turned into a career. She credits her uncle for his unwavering support in the early days and her coach for guiding her along the way.
Renuka recalled how the villagers never discouraged her from playing despite being the only girl among them. She felt fortunate that they welcomed her into the game and even encouraged her to play. Looking back, she takes pride in repaying their faith with her success, making their support truly meaningful.
The 29-year-old spoke highly of her mother’s endless support, emphasizing how she never felt deprived of anything she needed. “I never felt like I didn’t get something whenever I needed it. She somehow managed to give me everything, and I can say maybe my brother didn’t get it, but she supported me a lot,” she shared, highlighting her mother’s sacrifices in shaping her journey.
She shared a story about how the unique cricketing rules in her village unknowingly shaped her as a pace bowler. Since they played with a cloth ball, there was a rule that required bowlers to deliver the ball with speed, as slower deliveries wouldn’t be effective. Additionally, players had to roll their arms instead of throwing. This early experience naturally honed her fast-bowling skills, laying the foundation for her future in cricket.
Renuka discussed her cricketing journey by recalling how her uncle noticed her playing with boys and arranged for her trials at an academy. At the time, she wasn’t thinking about representing India. It was only later, when she learned that cricket had been her late father’s dream, that she began to take it seriously. “That’s when I started to take it seriously. It was his dream, and that’s why my mother had sent me,” she shared, believing her passion for the sport was in her genes.
Talking about her calm demeanor, Renuka explained that it has come with experience and perspective. “I have experienced much in life, and now I feel—what worse can happen?” she shared, believing that a positive mindset helps improve situations. She admitted that she was once quite aggressive, but a turning point, particularly after being dropped from the U-19 team, changed her approach, making her more composed on and off the field.
Recalling her India debut, which was delayed due to rain, Renuka shared the mix of emotions she felt. “When anyone’s debut happens, there’s a nervousness, excitement, for the first time you’re coming on TV, and so many people are watching it, so it was the same with me. I couldn’t sleep the whole night thinking about what I would do,” she said.
Renuka, also shared a fun challenge from Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur during a tour. Smriti promised her a gift if she managed to dismiss the top four batters, which she successfully did. Harmanpreet took it a step further, telling her she could ask for anything, even her property, if she met a specific wicket target. However, Renuka narrowly missed it by just one wicket, recalling with a smile that it was likely during the World Cup.
Renuka Singh’s journey from a small village in Himachal to India’s premier pacer is a story of resilience and determination. Whether it was overcoming setbacks like her delayed India debut or learning to stay composed after early career struggles, Renuka continues to prove that a positive mindset and relentless effort can turn dreams into reality.
(Quotes sourced from RCB Podcast)
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