As the 2025 Women’s World Cup continues, Indian wicket-keeper batter Sushma Verma, 32, discussed all things cricket in an interaction organised by JioHotstar. Her own story, last donning the Indian jersey in an ODI against South Africa at Lucknow in March 2021, mirrors the very themes shaping India’s journey in the 13th ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025; determination through setbacks, strategic nuance, and the relentless drive to adapt.
Entering the tournament’s third clash against an in-form South Africa led by Laura Wolvaardt, India was riding high with consecutive victories, over Sri Lanka by 59 runs in Guwahati and an 88-run thumping of Pakistan in Colombo, before suffering their first defeat by three wickets, a result that left them third on the points table with four from three games.
Much of the media scrutiny zeroed in on India’s tactics, particularly the decision to bowl Renuka Singh for an unbroken 8-over spell up front against Pakistan. Renuka, freshly returned from a stress fracture layoff, last played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. She marked her World Cup comeback by delivering 45 dot balls in a wicketless yet control-driven spell of 0/29 (10), after having replaced Amanjot in the eleven.
On whether the move was risky, given Renuka’s recent return from injury, Sushma answered Female Cricket’s query during the Media Day. Her response was analytical yet empathetic, “Good question. I don’t think that before coming to the World Cup, only the World Cup match was a testing time for Renuka. She must have prepared very well before coming into the World Cup. So, putting eight overs continuously is not too much of a load. In the NCA, it is properly monitored. Load by load, I am sure that Renuka’s plan was clear. And I think that plan was very clear. They wanted that kind of impact from Renuka. Because Renuka has always been a strike bowler.
“She was a little unlucky that day that she didn’t get those wickets. I don’t think it’s a big issue for Renuka. She is fit now, and she can take that load. She is quite capable of taking that load. I got her to bowl 10 overs in a row in a domestic game. The planning behind that was that they wanted her to get those wickets. The momentum that both of our fast bowlers (Renuka Singh and Kranti Goud) were creating, I think she did create it, just was a little unlucky that day.”
The logic, as Sushma described, underscores the meticulous load management at the National Cricket Academy, where fitness protocols now rival the highest international standards. More than just a workload calculation, the plan was a signal of faith from captain Harmanpreet Kaur and the team management in Renuka’s role as India’s primary strike weapon, tasked with breaking through Pakistan’s top order from ball one.
India’s campaign, while impacted by top-order fragility, has found stability and inspiration from its lower order. Amanjot Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Sneh Rana, and Richa Ghosh have repeatedly thwarted collapses with crucial runs, reflecting the team’s growing strategic depth. With Australia’s formidable lineup, skippered by Alyssa Healy, awaiting next, India will need this resilience as well as sharp tactical adaptation to consolidate their World Cup ambitions.
Sneh Rana’s career arc has come to symbolise Indian cricket’s enduring spirit of reinvention. Since returning from a career-threatening knee injury and subsequent long gaps from international selection, Rana has blossomed into a formidable all-rounder:
- 56 wickets at 28.21 (economy 4.68) in 41 ODIs.
- 6 wickets at 19.50 (economy 4.17) in three World Cup games, currently the second highest for India and joint second in the tournament.
- 81 runs at a blistering strike rate of 112.50, average 40.50 in the current edition.
- 27 wickets at 21.51 (economy 4.78) in 14 ODIs since late April 2025 (including the tri-nation series and beyond).
Sushma answered Female Cricket’s query on what has changed for Rana, “She has become more fitter than what she was before. The kind of journey she has had, ups and downs. Come back, then drop, then come back. I think credit goes to her. The way she has come to this stage and made herself fitter. When you are fit, I think mindset-wise you also start feeling more better, clarity in her approach.
“Not just now, I think the innings she played in the WPL (for RCB), not just bowling, but also batting. The clarity she has now, with such a clear mindset, I have never seen her play. So, that’s one of the best things about her right now. That’s a learning for a lot of players.”
This transformation in fitness and temperament, Sushma emphasised, has unlocked layers in Rana’s game, calm under pressure, clarity with the bat, and a constantly evolving bowling arsenal. Her recent successes in domestic cricket, the WPL, and the Sri Lanka tri-series have not just earned her a spot back in the squad but also command in clutch moments.
As India prepares for another high-profile contest against Australia, her words echo as both analysis and inspiration for fans and players alike. By blending rigorous preparation, managerial faith, and personal reinventions, the Women in Blue continue to chase history on home soil and pave the way for the next generation of comeback stories in Indian cricket.
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