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India fast bowler Renuka Singh Thakur was named the winner of the ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2022 on Wednesday, after an impressive display of seam and swing bowling, last year.
Renuka went past Australia’s Darcie Brown, England’s Alice Capsey, and teammate Yastika Bhatia to become the recipient of ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2022. She also became India’s first women’s cricketer to get the honour.
In 2022, Renuka claimed 40 wickets for her country in just 29 matches across the two white-ball formats, filling the void of the legendary pacer Jhulan Goswami. Able to swing the ball or find deviation off the surface, the right-arm pacer is most likely to be one of India’s most dependable bowlers in years to come.
In the ODIs, Renuka was brilliant with the ball, taking 18 wickets at an average of just 14.88, of which eight came in two appearances against England, and seven in India’s series against Sri Lanka.
𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗖𝗖 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣2️⃣
Congratulations Renuka Singh 👏🏻👏🏻#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/ZKfk7ENDm3
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 25, 2023
Renuka troubled Australia’s batting line-up in the seven T20I meetings across the year, taking eight wickets, and her performances across the Commonwealth Games and Asia Cup show she is no shrinking violet in tournament action. She claimed 17 wickets in 11 matches, at an economy of just 5.21.
Able to swing the ball in the air and seam it off the surface, Renuka will likely be one of India’s most dependable bowlers in years to come.
Renuka’s memorable performance in the year came in the Commonwealth Games, where she displayed an impressive performance with her line and length, claiming four wickets matched up with the game’s best top order in a stunning outing against Australia.
26-year-old swing bowler claimed Alyssa Healy with an outside edge to Deepti Sharma at slip, before a false cut shot from Meg Lanning had the Australia captain caught at point. A nip-backer claimed Beth Mooney who chopped on, before Tahlia McGrath was beaten with a hooping in-swinger.
“The dream Commonwealth Games start for her and for India!”
The first ever #CommonwealthGames Cricket T20 match did not disappoint with magic like this from @WeAreTeamIndia. 🏏#B2022 | @ICC pic.twitter.com/fxohWeAWrq
— Commonwealth Sport (@thecgf) July 29, 2022
Renuka finished with 4/18 with 16 dot balls as Australia stumbled to 34/4. However, the eventual champions went on to chase down India’s 154.
The Indian team is currently playing in a women’s T20I tri-series in South Africa and Renuka in a video posted by bcci.tv said she was happy to get the award.
“The spell against Australia at the CWG was my most memorable performance from 2022 as I was the highest wicket-taker there and the best performance was against Australia as there’s a different high in playing against them,” she said.
“Then, the second best innings would be against England at Lord’s as it was a dream to play in that iconic venue and also won the series after so many years, so it was the best moment for me. I want to thank my family, teammates and coaches for this award.
“It is because of them that I am getting this success in the last 12 months, where I have been backed and helped by the team management, captain, coaches, trainer and physios at the NCA,” she added.
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