India’s premier fast bowler Renuka Singh Thakur is back in action and fully fit ahead of one of the most significant tournaments of her career—the ODI World Cup 2025, set to be hosted on home soil. After a long injury layoff due to a stress fracture, Renuka has rejoined the Indian women’s cricket team just in time for a key three-match ODI series against Australia, which begins on September 14 in New Chandigarh.
Renuka Singh Cleared for Australia Series After Long Injury Layoff
The last time Renuka featured in a competitive match was during the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in March. Since then, she has been undergoing rehabilitation and recovery. India’s head coach Amol Muzumdar confirmed that she has successfully cleared all fitness tests and is now fully available for selection.
“Renuka has just joined in for this series. She was recovering and she cleared all her tests,” Muzumdar said in a press conference ahead of the Australia series. He emphasized the importance of her role, calling her the “leader of the pack” in India’s medium-pace department and an integral part of the team.
Her return is seen as a significant boost to India’s bowling lineup, especially with the World Cup looming.
India vs Australia: A Crucial Warm-Up Before the World Cup
Speaking about the significance of the upcoming ODI series against Australia, Muzumdar described it as a crucial platform for preparation. Calling it a “trailblazer” for the World Cup, he said the series would test India against one of the strongest teams in world cricket, helping the team fine-tune their rhythm and strategies.
“This is a real trailblazer for the World Cup. It is a very important series for us and we are looking forward to it,” Muzumdar said. “Yes, Australia has been the dominant force for so many years. But we focus on ourselves—how we prepare, plan, and execute.”
The coaching staff is also using this series to explore different team combinations, with the World Cup format in mind. According to Muzumdar, team selection will remain flexible, based on conditions and players’ form and fitness on the match day.
India will aim to make the most of home advantage, player depth, and renewed energy with key players like Renuka Singh back in action. With the spotlight now on this ODI series, fans and selectors alike will be watching closely as the team shapes up for a promising World Cup campaign.
