Team India pacer Renuka Singh Thakur pulled off an impressive maiden spell in Test cricket during the solitary Test against England on Friday, December 15 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. She bowled a stunning delivery to dismiss England’s opener Sophia Dunkley cheaply.
The incident took place in the third over of England’s innings. Renuka Singh conceded two boundaries in the over. However, she made a brilliant comeback. She bowled a full inswinging delivery, which shaped back into Sophia Dunkley. The opener tried to defend the delivery, however, she got beaten up. The ball went on to rattle the stumps.
Sophia Dunkley had to walk back to the hut for 11 runs from 10 deliveries. This dismissal was Renuka Thakur’s maiden wicket in Test cricket. She was handed her debut cap by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur before the start of the play on day one. She became the 93rd women’s player to represent India in Test cricket.
Watch Sophia Dunkley’s dismissal:
First wicket in Test cricket for Renuka Singh Thakur! š š
What a cracker of a dismissal that was! š š
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— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) December 15, 2023
India slams 428 in the first innings
The Indian batters pulled off a brilliant performance as they put 428 runs on the board before getting bowled out. This was India’s second-best score in Test cricket, with 467 against England in 2002 being the best.
India lost a couple of quick wickets in the innings. However, Shubha Satheesh and Jemimah Rodrigues got the team back with a great partnership. Shubha top-scored in the innings with 69 runs, while Rodrigues slammed 68. Yashtika Bhatia and Deepti Sharma slammed half-centuries in the innings, scoring 66 and 67 runs respectively. Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Sneh Rana also contributed valuable runs.
Meanwhile, Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone took three wickets each in the innings. Kate Cross, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Charlie Dean picked up a wicket each. In response, England also lost two quick wickets, with Sophia Dunkley and Heather Knight back to the hut. They were reduced to 28/2 in around eight overs.
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