In a candid conversation with Mayanti Langer on RCB’s Bold and Beyond podcast, Renuka Singh, India’s prolific right-arm medium-fast bowler with 58 T20I wickets and 13 scalps for RCB in the WPL, opened up about the rapid growth of women’s cricket, the challenges of fast bowling, the impact of the WPL, her journey with RCB, the pride and responsibility of representing India, the influence of pace legends Jhulan Goswami and Jasprit Bumrah on her game and more.
Renuka reflected on the remarkable transformation in women’s cricket, noting how the sport has gained recognition and financial stability over time. “Earlier, people used to say there was no money in women’s cricket, but now when I go back home, I see small kids playing. It feels great when they say they want to become like me,” she said, acknowledging the newfound recognition of the game.
Discussing fast bowling, Renuka emphasized the importance of adapting to conditions and working with top coaches. She credits Troy Cooley at the NCA for helping refine her skills, highlighting how he always has solutions when things don’t go right. Her hard work and practice have been key to her progress.
Renuka spoke about her admiration for legendary Indian pacers Jhulan Goswami and Jasprit Bumrah. Before an important tour of Australia, she sought advice from Goswami on excelling in ODIs, given her vast experience. “If I am to talk about bowling, I speak to Jhulu Di. She has taken so many ODI wickets, so before my last Australia tour, I asked her what she does differently,” Renuka recalled.
Talking about Jasprit Bumrah, she said, “When you talk about Jasprit Bumrah, I hope I get something like him, I have no words for him.” She also recounted her time with him during her rehab, where she gained insights on handling pressure, particularly in high-stakes tournaments like the WPL.
Renuka believes the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is a good change especially for the upcoming generation. Speaking about her experience with RCB, she expressed her gratitude for being part of the franchise. “Obviously, I consider myself lucky to be playing for RCB. Who wouldn’t want to play for such an amazing franchise with such passionate fans? In the two years I’ve been here, they have given me a lot of freedom and backed me a lot. It’s a cool franchise, especially with the fan following,” she said.
During the conversation, she recalled the moment Mithali Raj handed her the India cap and told her to “lead from the front.” Understanding the weight of that responsibility, Renuka strives to do her best for India.
She also spoke about a special moment when Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned her in a felicitation saying that she never expected him to take her name in such a manner, making it a truly special moment in her career.
When asked about her dream for the next 10-15 years, Renuka was clear about her ultimate goal. “Obviously, the dream is to win a World Cup. Especially when the world cup is at home, I hope it comes.” she stated.
Renuka Singh Thakur will be back in action on March 8 as RCB takes on UP Warriorz in Lucknow, aiming to bounce back from their four consecutive defeats and regain momentum in the tournament.
(Quotes sourced from RCB Podcast)
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