Outlook X Oriflame | Pitching Glory - Renuka Singh Thakur, India Women's Cricket Team's Ace Bowler

Hailing from the cold mountains of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh, Renuka Singh Thakur's childhood wasn't easy. At mere three years, Renuka lost her father Kehar Singh. It was her father's passion and love towards cricket that brought Renuka towards the game. After playing cricket with the local boys, Renuka's fondness for cricket grew more. Her uncle Bhupinder Singh Thakur persuaded her family to send Renuka to Dharmasala and join the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association's (HPCA) women's residential academy. At 13, Renuka moved base to Dharamsala. (More Cricket News)

Under the guidance of Pawan Sen in HPCA, Renuka broke into the Himachal Pradesh women's team. She made her presence felt with 21 wickets in the 2018-19 in the Challenger Trophy, with an India-A call-up for the tour to Australia. Renuka, who idolises legendary South African pacer, Dale Steyn, would go on to lead India's attack. 

Outlook India has joined hands with Oriflame in highlighting the lesser-told stories of sporting triumph amid adversity, via the 'Pitching Glory' initiative. Renuka is another star in a series of players who will feature in the initiative. You can watch the video below.

The right-arm seam bowler was the leading wicket-taker at the 2022 Commonwealth Games where India won the silver medal in cricket. She was also awarded the ICC Emerging Women's Cricketer of the Year in 2022.

As the Indian women's cricket team look to write a new chapter, Renuka Singh Thakur's rapid rise is a sign that never give up in life!