Is Renuka Singh the Key Replacement for Jemimah in Women’s WC? England Opts to Bat!

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Renuka Singh's return strengthens India's bowling attack.
- England remains unbeaten in the tournament with a strong performance.
- The Holkar Stadium pitch is favorable for high-scoring games.
- India aims to secure a vital win to keep semi-final hopes alive.
- Fans are excited for a thrilling match atmosphere.
Indore, Oct 19 (NationPress) India has made a strategic change by bringing in fast bowler Renuka Singh to replace middle-order batter Jemimah Rodrigues, as England won the toss and opted to bat first in a pivotal encounter of the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup at the Holkar Stadium on Sunday.
This match is crucial for India, who have secured only two victories in four outings and cannot afford another defeat as they aim for a semi-final berth after a week’s hiatus.
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur stated that Renuka’s skill in bowling inswingers will be beneficial, especially since England's batting lineup has previously struggled against this type of bowling, as seen in their match against Pakistan, which was abandoned in Colombo. Renuka’s presence enhances India’s bowling options, though Jemimah’s exclusion leaves the team short on specialist batters.
“We wanted to bowl first, so we’re pleased with the toss outcome. Having an additional bowler boosts our confidence in the field. Renuka has a strong track record against England, which was a primary reason for her inclusion back into the squad,” she remarked.
“Despite our recent loss, we showcased quality cricket, which will serve as motivation. Today’s match is significant, and I encourage the team to enjoy it,” she added.
England, on the other hand, remains unbeaten with three wins and one washout. A win against India would nearly secure their semi-final position, with Australia and South Africa already advancing.
England has welcomed back Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone, who recovered from illness, replacing Em Arlott and Sarah Glenn.
“We aim to capitalize on the fresh pitch and set a substantial total. I believe it is a great batting pitch, and the outfield will be quick, demanding rigorous fielding efforts to prevent runs. Sophie and Lauren are eager to contribute,” she stated.
“We will strive for significant partnerships and emphasize teamwork. The enthusiasm from the Indian fans is palpable; we hope everyone is ready for an exciting game. We understand the challenge ahead, with three tough matches left, and we aim to secure two points today,” she expressed.
The conditions at Holkar Stadium suggest a high-scoring affair, with former Indian captain Mithali Raj noting it as a ‘very hard surface’ that has been ‘well rolled’. With two games having been played and an average score of 275, the pitch appears favorable for batters.
Nevertheless, with a decent layer of grass, Mithali believes seam bowlers might find early movement. “Expect a thrilling high-scoring game,” Mithali indicated, setting the stage for an exciting matchup.
Playing XIs
India: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (wk), Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, and Renuka Singh Thakur
England: Amy Jones (wk), Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Sophia Dunkley, Emma Lamb, Alice Capsey, Charlotte Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Linsey Smith, and Lauren Bell