'Deandra Dottin's wicket was my favourite' - Renuka Singh credits discipline and fitness after bagging maiden five-wicket haul

India Women recorded a clinical 211-run victory in the first game of the three-match ODI series against West Indies Women to kickstart the 50-overs' leg on a high. Earlier in the day, it was a combined effort from the batting unit, spearheaded by a 91-run masterclass by Smriti Mandhana. The hosts posted 314 on the board. West Indies Women were shot out for just 103.

The wrecker-in-chief for the run-chase was Renuka Singh Thakur. In her 17th ODI innings while bowling, she claimed her maiden five-wicket haul. She was understandably proud of the achievement post the completion of the game.

"Feels very good, I've got 5 wickets in ODIs for the first time. Everyone backed me up. I train hard on my fitness and that's why I was able to bowl an eight-over spell, feeling proud of myself for being that fit. Dottin's wicket was my favourite because it was a pretty good ball," stated Renuka during the post-match ceremony.

Focused on hitting the right areas and it worked: Renuka

She further shared that there was enough assistance for the pacers from the deck. The right-arm pacer explained after the game how bowling at the right areas helped her get the better of the opposition batters.

"We practised well, and the wicket also helped. It was cold (the weather), so it helped the fast bowlers. My focus was on hitting the right areas, and it worked," she added.

The two big fish of the likes of Hayley Matthews and then Deandra Dottin were snapped up during Renuka's first three overs. Coming back into the account after a brief hiatus post the marathon eight-over spell, she immediately secured her fifth victim of the innings. The top-scorer for the visitors, wicketkeeper-batter Shemaine Campbelle, hacked across the line. The ball could go only as far as mid-on, where skipper Harmanpreet Kaur grabbed a regulation chance.

While being called up during the post-match presentation once again, this time to be handed the Player of the Match accolade, Renuka credited her captain as well as former fast-bowling great, Jhulan Goswami, in being the primary contributors to her performance.

"The team motivates me. Harman asked me if I wanted to bowl, and my confidence also grew as the wickets fell. We did some spot bowling yesterday because it is important for ODIs. We concentrated on single-wicket balls, I spoke to Jhulan Goswami as well, and she helped me with it. Difficult for bowlers as lines and lengths are different (to T20 cricket), that's why we practice. Whatever we practice, that's what gets executed," she concluded at the post-match party.