Renuka Singh Thakur: Rising Star of Women's Premier League and RCB's Bowling Sensation

Renuka Singh Thakur, the fast-bowling sensation of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, shines with 10 wickets in the WPL. From humble beginnings to realizing her late father's dream, her journey highlights her relentless pursuit of excellence. Mentored by India's cricket elite, she embodies resilience and inspires the next generation.

In her third season with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Women's Premier League (WPL), Renuka Singh Thakur has firmly established herself as a formidable force, claiming 10 wickets in just seven matches. Her meteoric rise from a rural village playing with a cloth ball to becoming India's premier fast bowler is a testament to her extraordinary journey, highlighted in an RCB press release. For Renuka, cricket was more than just a sport; it was the unachieved aspiration of her late father she was determined to fulfill.

Renuka recalls her early affinity towards cricket, noting, "I hadn't seen much cricket as a kid, it was just a hobby. In our village, we played with a cloth ball, requiring a fast throw for distance. That's how I honed my skills as a fast bowler," she explained. Unbeknownst to her, cricket was her father's passion, a revelation from her mother that spurred her dedication. Determined not to let setbacks define her, Renuka left her village for a cricket academy, only to face a significant hurdle when dropped from the U-19 team.

The challenges didn't deter her. "I took it as a challenge to prove I deserved to be on the team," Renuka said. This relentless determination paid dividends in October 2021, when she made her national team debut against Australia. Drafted by RCB for WPL's inaugural season, she sought guidance from cricket star Jasprit Bumrah on handling pressure. "He advised me that pressure is inevitable, but with experience, you learn to manage it," Renuka shared. Now a pivotal RCB player, she revels in the team's vibrant fan support and sees herself as a role model for aspiring cricketers in her village, sharing, "When kids tell me they want to be like me, it's an indescribable feeling."

(With inputs from agencies.)