Fresh from India's historic ODI World Cup victory, fast bowler Renuka Singh Thakur has identified the upcoming Women's Premier League (WPL) as a critical platform for the national team's preparation for the T20 World Cup, which is less than six months away. The fourth season of the WPL begins on Friday.
WPL: A Stepping Stone, Not a Standalone Event
In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express on Tuesday, Renuka, who will represent the Gujarat Giants this season, emphasized that the high-profile domestic T20 league is far more than just another tournament. She views it as an essential building block on the road to the global ICC event scheduled for June.
"Everything will be important now," Renuka stated. "Our team has discussed the T20 World Cup that will be held in the next six months. We will be preparing for that. This is the platform where we can experience things. We can work on different things." She added that while the team hasn't had much time yet, the WPL provides a significant window to experiment and refine strategies ahead of the marquee event.
The pacer, who played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru for the first three WPL seasons, will now don the Gujarat Giants jersey under the leadership of Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner.
Managing Growth, Expectations, and Adulation
The landscape of women's cricket in India has transformed dramatically, with increased attention, a tighter calendar, and higher expectations. Renuka, however, insists the core philosophy remains unchanged: focus on playing good cricket backed by relentless hard work.
"There is no such thing. Just good cricket. If you play good cricket, you will definitely get good results. I believe in hard work," she said, downplaying any external pressure.
The months following the World Cup win have also brought a new level of fame. Renuka admits she is still adjusting to the increased recognition, media requests, and public appearances. "I have to get used to it," she shared. "It's reassuring that people are asking me questions. We have been thinking for a long time about when people would ask us questions. Thank God we are getting all these things."
The Evolution of WPL and Indian Cricket
Renuka pointed out the rapid evolution of the WPL itself. While early seasons relied heavily on overseas stars, she believes Indian players are now stepping up with greater confidence and making a decisive impact.
"There are a lot of players coming through," she noted, citing examples like Kranti Gaud and Sree Charani, who emerged from the WPL and left their mark on the World Cup stage. This pipeline of talent, she argues, signifies a deeper transformation in the mindset of domestic cricketers.
"The mindset changes a lot. Six months ago, no one thought that they would play in India or win a trophy. Think about how much change there is for Indian cricket," Renuka remarked.
This growth comes with a demanding schedule. Renuka acknowledged the physical toll of continuous cricket across formats but sees it as a positive sign. "There are a lot of matches now. Since I have been playing in India, I don't get much time to rest. But it feels good to see that Indian cricket has grown a lot," she said.
She also credited structural improvements, specifically thanking BCCI Secretary Jay Shah for his proactive support in elevating the women's game, including the increase in domestic match fees which incentivizes more players to pursue cricket professionally.
For her immediate WPL campaign with Gujarat Giants, Renuka looks forward to collaborating with experienced international teammates like Australia's Kim Garth, with whom she shared the dressing room at RCB. "We often discuss what to do and what is better. I have a good bond with her," she said, highlighting the value of shared knowledge in sharpening her preparations for the challenges ahead, culminating in the T20 World Cup.
