Rohru girl first ever cricketer from Himachal who was part of cricket world cup winning team
Pallavi Sharma
DHARAMSHALA:
As India basks in the glow of its first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup triumph, speculation is mounting in Himachal Pradesh over whether the state government will honour fast bowler Renuka Singh Thakur, the pace spearhead from Rohru in Shimla, with a DSP post in the state police force, much like the previous Congress government did for kabaddi legend Ajay Thakur in 2017.
Renuka, who played a pivotal role in India’s 52-run victory over South Africa in the women’s cricket world cup final at Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium on Sunday, has become a national icon. Though she didn’t take many wickets in the final, her disciplined bowling spells were instrumental in controlling the opposition’s scoring rate — a contribution widely acknowledged by experts and fans alike.
Now, as congratulatory messages pour in from across the country, sports enthusiasts in Himachal are calling on the state government to recognise her historic achievement with a formal appointment, one that reflects the same respect shown to other world-class athletes from the state.
Precedent set by Ajay Thakur’s appointment
In 2017, kabaddi star Ajay Thakur, then captain of the Indian national kabaddi team, was appointed Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in the Himachal Pradesh Police after his stellar international career.
The decision was cleared by the Virbhadra Singh-led Congress government following his exceptional performances in global tournaments, including the 2016 Kabaddi World Cup, where he was the top raider with 68 points and the 2017 Asian Championship, which India won under his captaincy.
Ajay, who hails from Dhabota village in Nalagarh, went on to become one of India’s most decorated kabaddi players, earning both the Padma Shri and Arjuna Award. His appointment had generated tremendous enthusiasm across Himachal and set a precedent for rewarding sporting excellence through government service.
With Renuka Thakur now achieving a comparable feat on the world stage, helping India lift its maiden Women’s Cricket World Cup, many are urging the current administration to follow suit.
Renuka’s rise: From village fields to world stage
Born in Parsa village of Rohru in Shimla district, Renuka’s journey has been one of perseverance and quiet determination. Losing her father at a young age, she was raised by her mother Sunita Thakur, who worked as a Class IV employee to support the family. It was her uncle, Bhupender Singh Thakur, a physical education teacher, who first noticed her bowling talent and encouraged her to join the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Academy in Dharamshala.
Since then, Renuka’s career has been a steady climb. From representing Himachal in age-group cricket to starring in domestic tournaments, she finally broke into the national team in 2021. Over the years, her accuracy and composure have made her one of India’s most reliable pace bowlers — and now, a World Cup winner.
Social media in Himachal has been buzzing with appeals to the state government to honour Renuka’s achievement. Many fans and local leaders have drawn parallels with Ajay Thakur’s appointment, arguing that Renuka’s contribution to Indian cricket is equally deserving of state recognition.
“Ajay Thakur brought pride to Himachal through kabaddi; Renuka has done the same in cricket, which has an even larger global stage. She should be honoured in the same way,” said a sports enthusiast.
