New Delhi: Renuka Thakur wanted to do really well in her game, and she felt a chat with the cricket legend Jhulan Goswami would help her. The last time an Indian woman bowler took five wickets in an ODI was in 2011, thanks to Jhulan. Now, Renuka made history by taking 5 wickets for just 29 runs against West Indies in Vadodara on Sunday. She said, “I’ve been playing a lot of T20s, but now it’s all ODIs. Jhulan di told me that bowling in the same area helps a lot.”
Pressure was high on Thakur and her teammates after India lost to Australia in ODIs and with the ODI World Cup coming up soon. But Renuka was simply joyful after her achievement, saying, “This is my first five-wicket haul, and it makes me really happy. ODIs can be tough for taking wickets.”
India scored 314 runs in their innings, with all the main players doing well. In response, the West Indies struggled to score, and Thakur’s amazing bowling quickly put them in trouble, reducing them to 11/4 and then 26/5. To win, players like Deandra Dottin or captain Hayley Matthews had to perform amazingly. But Thakur ended those hopes with her sharp bowling, getting Matthews out early and then clean-bowling Dottin, sealing the match.
Thakur mentioned that her fitness had been a big issue in the past, as she had a stress injury that slowed her down. “I’ve worked hard on my fitness, which let me bowl eight overs straight. It shows I’m fit,” she shared. Renuka is known for her inswinger deliveries and is especially strong with the new ball. If the pitch helps her, like it did on Sunday, she shines even more.
Coach Amol Muzumdar noted the cool evening temperatures could add dew, which is something they had prepared for. Renuka explained, “We planned to bowl accurately, and the conditions helped us.” In the last year, she has taken 12 wickets in 10 ODIs and 22 in 29 T20Is. With some less experienced players joining the team and Pooja Vastrakar missing, Thakur is expected to lead the group as they prepare for the World Cup in September-October next year.
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