‘Have taken four wickets whenever I’ve played here’, says Renuka after match-winning spell vs SL
Thiruvananthapuram — India secured the final victory of its five‑match T20I series against Sri Lanka with an 8‑wicket win at the Greenfield International Stadium. The game saw Renuka Singh return to the format after more than a year, delivering a standout spell that proved decisive.
After being sidelined for India’s England leg earlier in the year, Renuka was rested for the first two fixtures as the side experimented with other bowlers. In the third match she took four wickets for 21 runs from her full quota of four overs, dismantling the Sri Lankan lineup and earning the Player of the Match award. Her figures helped India clinch the series with a comfortable margin.
“Kerala is my lucky place,” the pacer said after the game. “I’ve played T20 cricket for a long time, so I am happy. I have also played Under‑19 cricket here. Whenever I have played, I have taken four wickets. I was excited to come to Kerala. It is my lucky ground.” The quotes capture her excitement and confidence as she re‑established herself in the national side.
Renuka also highlighted the broader focus of the team as the schedule for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup nears. “The bowling department is doing well. The combination of pacers and spinners is good. We are trying to find a better combination for the World Cup. We are trying to keep our standards high so that we can win as many matches as possible. Our motto is to take women’s cricket to the next level,” she explained.
The right‑arm fast bowler has consistently been India’s leading wicket‑taker in the last two editions of the Women’s T20 World Cup, claiming seven wickets in both 2023 and 2024. Despite missing the final in those tournaments, India bounced back with a historic winner’s trophy at the 2023 Women’s Cricket World Cup at home, and is now aiming for a first T20 World Cup title in England and Wales in 2026.
During a press conference, Renuka noted that the team’s plans are now firmly centered on the June 12 start of the T20 World Cup. She revealed that she has been working intensively on adding variations to her bowling arsenal. “I go to the NCA (National Cricket Academy) 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. 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,” she said.
India’s T20 World Cup lineup will include Group A opponents Australia, Pakistan, South Africa, and two teams still awaiting qualification. The series victory against Sri Lanka, powered by Renuka’s performance, bodes well as the national side builds momentum ahead of the global tournament.
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