"She is probably not 100% fit" - Reema Malhotra on whether Renuka Singh's form is the biggest concern in India's bowling department
Reema Malhotra reckons Renuka Singh hasn't been at the top of her game lately because she is not fully fit. While acknowledging that the seamer's indifferent form is a slight concern, the former India all-rounder expressed confidence about her returning to her best.
Renuka wasn't part of India's playing XI for the second T20I against South Africa in Chennai on Sunday, July 7. The game didn't yield a result as rain didn't allow the Women in Blue to start their chase after they were set a 178-run target.
During a discussion on Sports 18, Malhotra was asked whether Renuka's form is the biggest concern in India's bowling department.
"I would say yes if we see the recent form, considering the level of player she is. Her second WPL (Women's Premier League) was very good, and she didn't bowl much in the Test match. I feel she got slightly injured after the ODIs, and because of that she is probably not 100 percent fit," she responded.
The cricketer-turned-commentator noted that the swing bowler erred in line and length in the first T20I.
"That's why the rhythm was not seen in the last match as well. Renuka Singh Thakur knows that her strength is swing. If the ball doesn't swing, her line and length is her strength, and I didn't see that in the last match," Malhotra added.
Malhotra highlighted that Renuka and Pooja Vastrakar have crucial roles to play in India's seam-bowling department in the Women's T20 World Cup in Bangladesh later this year.
"If you are going with Pooja Vastrakar and Renuka Singh Thakur for the World Cup, both of them are crucial elements. Renuka Singh Thakur is the highest wicket-taker in powerplays in the last few matches. So I feel she is a very important factor," she said.
Arundhati Reddy was fielded in the playing XI at Renuka's expense in Sunday's game. The Delhi Capitals seamer went wicketless and conceded 37 runs in four overs, and was particularly expensive in the powerplay.
"It's not a cause for too much concern" - Reema Malhotra on Renuka Singh's indifferent form
![Renuka Singh didn't play the final two ODIs against South Africa. [P/C: BCCI]](https://statico.sportskeeda.com/editor/2024/07/b97f8-17204188159404-1920.jpg?w=500)
Reema Malhotra believes Amol Muzumdar and Harmanpreet Kaur's support will help Renuka Singh regain her form.
"However, it's not a cause for too much concern because Amol Muzumdar and Harmanpreet Kaur are with her, and they know how to get the best from the players," she said.
"I was recently reading an interview where Sneh Raha said that this team's specialty is that they know how to extract performances from players and that they are supported if they are in bad form, they are not removed from the team. It's a sign of a very good team when you have a coach and captain who support you like that. So I feel Renuka Thakur can regain her form there," Malhotra added.
Renuka registered figures of 1/30 in seven overs in the only ODI she played against South Africa. She went wicketless in the one-off Test and in the first T20I, where she conceded 42 runs in four overs, and will want to be at her potent best in the Women's Asia Cup later this month.