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The Indian women’s cricket team on Sunday scripted history as they clinched their maiden Women’s ODI World Cup title. A wave of celebration has swept across India after the women’s cricket team clinched the World Cup title, and among those basking in glory is Himachal Pradesh’s very own Renuka Thakur, who played a crucial role in the team’s historic victory. Recognising Renuka’s remarkable contribution, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu extended his greetings to the entire Indian women’s team, saying, “The daughters of India have made the nation proud on the world stage.” तू सारे जहां से प्यारी, मेरे भारत की बेटी। तेरी हर जीत है हमारी, गौरव है देश की बेटी। जीती रहो, जीतती रहो, सूर्य की तरह आलोकित रहो।#WomenInBlue | #CWC25 | #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/hDktAljb3p — Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (@SukhuSukhvinder) November 3, 2025 The Chief Minister further said that having a daughter from Himachal in the World Cup–winning squad is a matter of immense pride for the state. “Rohru’s daughter Renuka Thakur has fulfilled the dream that every girl from the hills sees. Overcoming struggles to become part of a World Cup–winning team is a matter of pride for both India and Himachal. Renuka has proven that passion and self-belief can conquer any challenge,” Sukhu remarked. रोहड़ू की बेटी रेणुका ठाकुर ने वो सपना पूरा कर दिखाया, जो हर पहाड़ की बेटी देखती है। संघर्षों से जीतकर वर्ल्ड कप विजेता टीम का हिस्सा बनना- ये देश और हिमाचल का गौरव है। रेणुका ने दिखाया कि जुनून और विश्वास से हर मक़ाम हासिल किया जा सकता है। हार्दिक बधाई रेणुका जी, उनकी माँ और… pic.twitter.com/RCmKm5Q1OB — Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu (@SukhuSukhvinder) November 3, 2025 The Himachal CM also announced a ₹1 crore cash reward for Renuka. The Chief Minister also personally spoke to the pacer over the phone to congratulate her on the achievement. Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu spoke to cricketer Renuka Thakur over the phone and congratulated the Indian women’s cricket team on winning the World Cup. The Chief Minister also praised Renuka’s performance in the World Cup and announced a prize money of Rs 1 crore. pic.twitter.com/lQM0CldrPJ — Wise Himachal (@WiseHimachal) November 3, 2025 Renuka was passionate about cricket, and she would play with boys of her locality with a home-made wooden bat and balls made of cloth. Speaking to PTI, her mother Sunita said the pacers’ late father was a cricket lover who wanted her daughter to do well in the game. “An ardent cricket lover, my husband wanted that one of the kids should take sports — or Kabaddi — and even though he is not with us, my daughter has fulfilled his dreams,” Renuka’s mother said on Monday. “Renuka was always passionate about cricket and used to play the sport with boys since childhood. As a little girl, she used to make balls out of cloth and play with a wooden bat on the roadside.” Renuka’s father, Kehar Singh Thakur, who served in the state’s Irrigation and Public Health Department, passed away when she was just three years old. It was her uncle, a physical education teacher, who first recognised her potential and encouraged her to pursue cricket. He later sent her to the Dharamshala Cricket Academy, where her journey in the sport truly began.
