Why is Renuka Singh Not Playing Today in IND-W vs SL-W 1st T20I?

India women and Sri Lanka women are clashing against each other in the first match of the five-match T20I series, kicking off at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam, on December 21, Sunday.

This is Women in Blue's first international assignment after their recent ODI World Cup glory, where they defeated South Africa women in the final match and showed their quality as one of the best women's cricket team in the world. Meanwhile, the India women's cricket team made a huge shuffle in their playing 11 by snubbing their star pacer Renuka Singh Thakur.

Why is Renuka Singh Not Playing Today in IND W vs SL W 1st T20I?

India women won the toss and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur opted to bowl first. During the toss, Harmanpreet, one of the best women cricketers in the world, announced that they are playing with three pacers, but the surprising thing was that Renuka Singh wasn't included in the playing XI for the IND-W vs SL-W 1st T20I.

The reason for Renuka not being a part of the playing 11 is the team's combination. The Women in Blue are playing with their regular two pacers, Arundhati Reddy and Kranti Goud, but there’s another bowler, Vaishnavi Sharma, who's making her debut today, and that's why Renuka isn't playing today.

“Dew will be factor here and secondly, we are playing with 3 pacers. So, let's see how they are going to use these conditions. Today we have one debutant, Vaishnavi, playing her first game today.” Harmanpreet said during the toss.

Renuka Singh replacement for this match is Arundhati Reddy, who also brings batting skills to the team. The three spinners in this team are Deepti Sharma, Vaishnavi Sharma, and Sree Charani. Amanjot Kaur is also playing this game as the all-rounder.

Who is Vaishnavi Sharma?

Vaishnavi Sharma plays domestic cricket for Madhya Pradesh and has a lot of experience playing in the domestic circuit. However, the left-arm spinner suffered a heartbreak this year by going unsold during the Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction. But the sorrow didn’t last long as under three days, she received a maiden India call-up and today she is even making her international debut.

“I was really gutted to be unsold in the WPL auction. But so many players, coaches and seniors reached out and supported me. Within three days, I got my first India call-up. I was over the moon.” Vaishnavi was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

Vaishnavi Sharma came into the limelight earlier this year during India’s U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup victory where she ended up being the highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 17 wickets. Special mention to her five-for against Malaysia which also included a hat-trick as well.