Returning India pacer provides strong T20 World Cup audition

Experienced India fast bowler Renuka Singh made an instant impact in her return to the shortest format of cricket with a dominant performance for her side in the third T20I against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram.

Renuka collected superb figures of 4/21 from four quality overs as India clinched the five-game series against their Asian rivals with a dominant eight-wicket triumph at Greenfield International Stadium.

It was Renuka's first T20I appearance for more than 12 months, with the right-arm quick having missed the tour of England in the middle of this year and then sat out the opening two matches of this series as India tried a few different bowling combinations.

But with the next edition of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup less than six months away, Renuka issued a timely reminder of her capabilities with a Player of the Match effort against Sri Lanka.

"My performance was good. I have played T20 cricket for a long time, so I am happy," Renuka said.

"Kerala is my lucky place. I have also played Under-19 cricket here. Whenever I have played, I have taken four wickets. I was excited to come to Kerala. It is my lucky ground.

"The bowling department is doing well. The combination of pacers and spinners is good. We are trying to find a better combination for the World Cup. We are trying to keep our standards high so that we can win as many matches as possible. Our motto is to take women's cricket to the next level."

Renuka has been India's leading wicket-taker at the two most recent editions of the T20 World Cup, with the 29-year-old collecting seven scalps at both the 2023 and 2024 tournaments as the side failed to reach the title decider.

But with a maiden ICC Women's Cricket World Cup success fresh in their mind following their success at home earlier this year, India are determined to match their recent efforts and claim a first T20 World Cup title in England and Wales in 2026.

Renuka said all the side's planning was based around the 20-over showcase that commences on June 12 and that she has been working hard to find more variations with her bowling ahead of the tournament.

“I go to the NCA (National Cricket Academy) to prepare for any tournament because it works for me. I can do some extra work on my bowling and fitness, and that helps me execute better," Renuka added.

“For the last six months to a year, I have been working on my variations. There shouldn’t be a doubt in my head, so I want to be mentally prepared. I know that if my first over doesn’t go well, I have to come back strong. I just kept thinking what kind of ball would get me wickets on this pitch.”

India are drawn in Group A for next year's T20 World Cup, with the side scheduled to play against Australia, India, Pakistan, South Africa and two teams that will be added following the completion of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier tournament in Nepal next month.

Series schedule:

First T20I: December 21, Visakhapatnam (India won by eight wickets)
Second T20I: December 23, Visakhapatnam (India won by seven wickets)
Third T20I: December 26, Thiruvananthapuram (India won by eight wickets)
Fourth T20I: December 28, Thiruvananthapuram
Fifth T20I: December 30, Thiruvananthapuram