Renuka Singh Thakur marked a triumphant return to T20I cricket with a match-winning four-wicket haul, propelling India to an 8-wicket victory in the third T20I against Sri Lanka on December 26, 2025, sealing a 3-0 series lead.
The 29-year-old pacer, sidelined for over one-year, dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting with figures of 4-1-21-4, restricting them to 112/7 after skipper Harmanpreet Kaur opted to bowl first. Awarded Player of the Match, Renuka’s spell not only showcased her resilience but also signaled her readiness for bigger stages like the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales from June 12 to July 5, 2026.
She staged her international comeback in the three-match ODI series against Australia in September 2025, ahead of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup.
India’s campaign peaked at the 13th ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, hosted across India and partly in Sri Lanka from September 30 to November 2, 2025. Under Harmanpreet Kaur and head coach Amol Muzumdar, India clinched their maiden senior-level ICC title, thrashing South Africa by 52 runs in the final at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. Renuka picked up 3 wickets across 6 innings at an average of 60.33 and an economy of 4.02, rebuilding her match rhythm.
Renuka missed the starting XI in the first two T20Is, which India won by 8 and 7 wickets respectively against Chamari Athapaththu’s Sri Lanka in the five-match series from December 21-30. Her third-game entry proved decisive: a thumping 8-wicket win with 40 balls to spare, underscored India’s dominance after her miserly spell.
Since her T20I debut on October 7, 2021, against Australia at Carrara, Renuka has claimed 62 wickets in 55 matches at an average of 20.67 and economy of 6.34 across 54 innings, including three four-wicket hauls and one five-wicket haul. Her best remains 5/15 against England in the 2023 T20 World Cup at St George’s Park, Gqeberha, restricting them to 151/7 despite India’s 11-run loss.
In her post-match presentation after the 3rd T20I, Renuka beamed with characteristic humour and grit. “Very happy. I never get five wickets; it’s always four. So maybe I’ll have to work harder to get a five-for as they are rare for me,” she quipped, nodding to mentor Jhulan Goswami’s advice: “I remember Jhulu di’s words that you have to work harder for a five-wicket haul.”
She credited structured preparation: “I go to the NCA to prepare for any tournament because it works for me. I can do some extra work on my bowling and fitness, and that helps me execute better.”
On variations honed over the last six to twelve months ahead of the World Cup, Renuka added, “For the last six months to a year, I have been working on my variations. There shouldn’t be a doubt in my head, so I want to be mentally prepared. I know that if my first over doesn’t go well, I have to come back strong. I just kept thinking what kind of ball would get me wickets on this pitch.”
Renuka’s resurgence adds firepower to India’s T20I arsenal, blending experience with evolving skills, perfect timing as eyes turn to the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup in June–July.
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