Renuka Singh Thakur is a top Indian woman cricketer. She is a fast bowler from Himachal Pradesh. On January 10, 2026, news came about her great play in the Women's Premier League.
Early Life
Renuka was born on January 2, 1996. She grew up in Parsa village near Shimla. This place is in the hills of Himachal Pradesh. Life was not easy for her. Her father died when she was just three years old. Her mother, Sunita, raised her and her brother Vinod alone. Sunita took her husband's old job in the government. It was a small Class-IV job. Money was tight. The family lived a simple life.
Renuka loved cricket from a young age. Her father was a big cricket fan. He named her brother after Vinod Kambli, a famous player. Renuka played with boys in the village. They used wooden bats and balls made of rags. The hilly paths made her strong. She ran up and down slopes. This built her speed and power. Her uncle, Bhupinder Singh Thakur, saw her talent. He was a physical education teacher. He pushed her to train hard.
In 2009, Renuka joined the HPCA academy in Dharamsala. It was far from home. She faced many problems. Travel was tough. Food and stay cost money. Her family helped as much as they could. Brother Vinod gave up his own cricket dreams. He let her use the family money for training. Renuka felt bad but kept going. She wanted to make them proud.
Renuka Singh Thakur Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Husband, Family
Career
Renuka played in local matches first. She bowled fast and took many wickets. In school, she shone in under-age teams. But she faced setbacks. Once, selectors dropped her from the U-19 team. It hurt a lot. Her brother had an accident too. Times were dark. Renuka cried but did not quit. She trained more. She fixed her mistakes. She played in the 2019–20 Senior Women's One Day League. Renuka took 23 wickets. She was the top wicket-taker. This got her noticed. In August 2021,
She got her first call-up to the India team. It was for a series against Australia. She felt overjoyed. Her hard work paid off. On October 7, 2021, Renuka made her T20I debut. It was against Australia in India. She bowled well from the start. Soon after, in December 2021, she got a job with Indian Railways. It gave her money and time to play. Stability helped her focus.
Rise to Fame
In July 2022, Renuka went to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. India won silver. She took 11 wickets there. She was the best bowler of the event. Fans cheered her name. Her swing bowling scared batters. She made the ball move in air. This skill made her special. In February 2023, at the Women's T20 World Cup, she took a five-wicket haul against England. It was her first in T20Is. India played well because of her.
In the same year, the Women's Premier League started. Royal Challengers Bengaluru bought her for 1.5 crore rupees. Her mother laughed in shock when she heard the news. It was a big amount for their family. Renuka played for RCB for three years. In 2024, they won the title. She was key in that win. But she got hurt. A shin fracture kept her out for some time. She came back stronger in 2025.
In the TATA WPL 2025, she took 10 wickets in 7 games. Her average was 21.30. Good numbers showed her form. India won the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in 2025. They beat South Africa in the final. Renuka played a big role. Her bowling turned games. She proved she belongs at the top.
Playing Style
Renuka is a right-arm medium pacer. She bowls at good speed. Her main weapon is swing. She makes the ball curve in air. Batters find it hard to see. She hits the deck hard too. Bouncers trouble tall players. Her accuracy is top class. She bowls in right spots. She bats with her right hand. But she is known for bowling. Fitness is her strength. Hill training made her tough.
She runs fast. She fields well too. Catches and run-outs come from her. Teammates love her energy. She cheers everyone. In big matches, she stays calm. Pressure does not shake her. She thinks quick. Changes her plan if needed. Coaches say she learns fast. Her growth shows in stats. From village girl to world star, her story inspires.
Personal Life
Renuka keeps life private. She lives simply in Himachal. Her mother is her hero. Sunita supported every step. Brother Vinod still cheers her. Family comes to matches when possible. Renuka visits Parsa village often. She meets old friends. Gives back to the school where she started. She likes routine. Wakes up early. Trains hard. Eats healthy food. No big parties for her. Cricket is her world.
She reads about old bowlers. Learns from them. Her favorite is Jhulan Goswami. She calls her a guide. Renuka wants to help girls from small towns. She knows their fights. Talks to young players. Tells them to dream big. Works with academies in Himachal. Pushes for more chances for girls. Her story motivates many.
Achievements List
- - Leading wicket-taker in 2019–20 Senior Women's One Day League with 23 wickets.
- - Debut T20I on October 7, 2021, vs Australia.
- - 11 wickets at 2022 Commonwealth Games, silver medal for India.
- - First T20I five-wicket haul vs England in 2023 World Cup.
- - Bought for ₹1.5 crore by RCB in first WPL auction 2023.
- - Key player in India's 2024 WPL title win with RCB.
- - 10 wickets in 7 games in WPL 2025.
- - Part of India's winning 2025 Women's World Cup team.
Challenges
Life tested Renuka much. Early days had no money. Travel to camps was hard. She slept hungry sometimes. Dropped from teams broke her heart. Injuries came often. The 2024 shin fracture was bad. Doctors said rest six months. She fought back in four. Competition is tough. Many fast bowlers in India.
She had to stand out. Social media pressure too. Fans judge every ball. Renuka blocks noise. Focuses on game. Her mental strength is key. Mother taught her to stay strong. Pandemics stopped play once. No matches for months. She trained alone in hills. Kept fitness up. When games returned, she was ready. Such grit makes her special.
Recent Updates
In 2026, Renuka moved to a new team. After RCB, she joined GG. It is for the WPL 2026 season. Her skills will help them. On January 7, 2026, she spoke about handling fame. Said she dreams of more wins. India looks to her for big tournaments. She trains with the national team now. Next goals are Asia Cup and more World Cups. Fitness is top focus after injury. Railways job keeps her grounded. She balances all well. Future looks bright.
Impact
Renuka changed women's cricket. Shows talent from hills can shine. More girls from Himachal play now. Academies grow there. She proves fast bowling works for India women. Her swing adds bite to attack. Fans love her story. From rag ball to World Cup hero. Media calls her "Himachal Express". Young fans wear her jersey. She signs autographs with smile. Builds fan base. Sponsors come too.
But she stays humble. India's women team grows strong. Renuka is a big part. Her wins lift the game. More crowds come to watch. TV rights rise. She helps make cricket for girls a dream job. Renuka's journey goes on. She aims for more records. Wants to lead the team one day. Her fire burns bright. India cheers her every step.