Renuka Singh Thakur records the best bowling figures for India in T20 World Cup
Renuka Singh celebrating a wicket against England (Source: Twitter/@BCCIWomen)
The Indian women's team faced off against England in the 14th match of the ongoing ICC Women's T20 World Cup. Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss in the match and opted to field first taking the conditions into consideration and hoped that her seam bowlers will give a good start to the team.
The Indian seamer, Renuka Singh Thakur did exactly what the team management had hoped for. Within the fifth over the English innings, Renuka got rid of the top three with their score at just 29 runs.
Well, Thakur just did not stop there and went onto pick up two more towards the end of the innings. She ended her spell with five wickets for 15 runs from her quota of four overs. While displaying her tremendous seam bowling skills, Renuka Singh Thakur got her name registered in the record books.
Renuka became the first ever bowler from India (Men's and Women's Cricket) to pick up a five-for in T20 World. Her figures of 5 for 15 are the best ever by an Indian bowler. She surpassed Ravichandran Ashwin in this who had picked up four wicket for 11 runs in a T20 World Cup match.
If we speak of Women's cricket only, Renuka's effort in now the fourth best in the tournament. The team management will hope that the form Renuka has picked up continues as the business end of the tournament approaches.
India lost the match despite Renuka's heroics
Renuka's effort was nulled by a brilliant batting effort by Natalie Sciver-Brunt. She scored 50 runs off 42 balls and was aided by Amy Jones (40 off 27), helping England to a total of 151 runs for the loss off seven wickets at the end of 20 overs.
The Indian team made a great to reach the total. The star of the Indian batting was once again Richa Ghosh, who scored 47 runs off 34 balls, but despite her brilliant efforts India fell short of the target by 11 runs.
India's next assignment will be against Ireland on Monday, 20th February.
 "Probuddha Bhattacharjee")
