Indian pacer Renuka Singh Thakur returned home to a hero’s welcome on Sunday as she stepped into her ancestral village, Parsa, in the Rohru subdivision of Shimla district. The celebrations reflected not just pride but genuine emotion, coming on the heels of India’s historic triumph at the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup. For a village tucked in the hills of Himachal Pradesh, this wasn’t just a homecoming. It was the return of a national icon they had watched rise from their own backyard.
Renuka, who delivered key breakthroughs for India throughout the tournament and finished with three crucial wickets, was honoured by villagers, local authorities and an overwhelming wave of affection.
The highlight of the ceremony came when she was presented with a heartfelt documentary crafted by her own villagers, capturing her journey from the serene mountains to the biggest stage in women’s cricket. The pacer, usually calm and composed, was visibly moved by the tribute. “This documentary is the best gift I could have received,” she told ANI.
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Before the celebrations, the 28-year-old visited the Hateshwari Mata Temple in Hatkoti, offering prayers and expressing gratitude for India’s success. She spoke with quiet humility about the people who shaped her career. “My hard work is paying off, but the real credit goes to my mother and my Bhupinder uncle, who spotted my talent and supported me,” she said.
Renuka’s journey carries shades of resilience and personal loss. Her father, Kehar Singh Thakur, passed away when she was just three. Her mother, Sunita Thakur, became the sole pillar for Renuka and her brother, working tirelessly to keep the family afloat. Renuka carries her father’s name tattooed on her arm, a permanent reminder of the dream he had once held for his children.
#WATCH | Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: Villagers and local authorities felicitated Indian cricketer Renuka Singh Thakur on winning the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025. pic.twitter.com/hKEiwm35iz
— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2025
“No words can describe my mother’s struggle,” she said. “I owe everything to her, my coaches, my uncle and everyone who guided me since childhood.” Her uncle, Bhupinder Singh Thakur, identified her potential early and pushed her toward professional training at the Dharamshala Cricket Academy under coach Pawan Sen and trainer Veena Pandey. “If he hadn’t sent me at the right time, I wouldn’t be here today,” Renuka admitted.
Bhupinder, proud and emotional, called her success the outcome of 13 to 14 years of relentless hard work. And that journey wasn’t smooth. Renuka recalled the tense phase during the World Cup when India lost three matches in a row.
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“The pressure was enormous, but we never gave up hope,” she said. That belief ultimately led India to their maiden Women’s World Cup title. She hopes this victory becomes a turning point for countless young girls in India. “This win will inspire families to let their daughters pursue sports seriously,” she said, acknowledging the Himachal Pradesh government’s announcement of a ₹1 crore reward and a government job.
From the narrow lanes of Parsa to global cricketing glory, Renuka’s story is a testament to grit, family, and the growing strength of women’s sport in India. And as she watched the villagers’ film celebrating her rise, she knew—some gifts are truly priceless.
