[Watch] Renuka Singh Thakur castles Gull Feroza with a booming inswinger in IND vs PAK 2024 Women's T20 World Cup clashÂ
Team India pacer Renuka Singh Thakur delivered the early breakthrough in the crucial 2024 Women's T20 World Cup Group A contest against Pakistan at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday, October 6. The right-handed bowler dismissed Gull Feroza for a four-ball duck with a trademark inswinger in the first over itself.
Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana had opted to bat first, hoping to put pressure on India, who are coming on the back of a heavy defeat to New Zealand.
After not being given the first over in the previous match, Renuka Singh Thakur opened the proceedings for India. With Pooja Vastrakar not part of the playing XI, the onus was on her to deliver with the new ball.
She began with a barrage of inswingers, giving no room for the Pakistan openers to operate. Gull Feroza was put under pressure after being subjected to three consecutive dot balls early up. To conclude the over, the right-handed batter was cut in half by yet another inswinger, which ended up crashing onto the stumps after breaching the gap between the bat and pad.
Have a look at the dismissal right here:
Renuka Singh finished the first over on a high with the wicket as she conceded only a single. Gull Feroza departed early in her previous encounter against India during the 2024 Women's Asia Cup, when Pooja Vastrakar dismissed her.
India hoping to capitalise on Renuka Singh Thakur's early strike
Playing a must-win encounter in the early stages of the campaign, India were handed the perfect start. After picking up a wicket in her first over, she conceded three boundaries in her next over as Muneeba Ali tried to break the shackles. The pacer had finished with figures of 2/27 in the clash against New Zealand.
As of writing, Pakistan are placed at 18/1 after four overs, with second pacer Arundhati Reddy entering the attack.