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Picture Credit: BCCI

India women’s team wicketkeeper - batter Richa Ghosh revealed that her cricketing idol is former India Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Ghosh was conversing with her captain Mithali Raj in a BCCI TV interview after scoring the fast fifty by an Indian Woman. She scored 50 off 26 balls in the fourth ODI against New Zealand.

The 18-year-old talked about how MS Dhoni’s playing style resonated with her and has influenced her to play in an aggressive manner. She said, "During my childhood, I used to look up to my father. I used to practice with him at that time, so I was influenced by his aggressive batting approach. When I began watching matches of Team India, I started following MS Dhoni as I was impressed with his power-hitting abilities with the bat coupled with effective wicket-keeping behind the stumps. He is my idol." she said.

Ghosh then also discussed how the fifty in the fourth ODI was also her maiden half-century after missing out on the milestone by six runs against Australia. She said, “It felt really great as it was my first 50. The last time I got out for 44 in Australia but here I was able to continue and reach half-century. I was really happy, and my parents were also elated by it as they called up to congratulate me after the knock."

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The Indian skipper Mithali Raj was also enjoying Richa’s batting from the other end. She said, "I think it was a very nice inning by her. I was in awe of her for the shots she played, the sixes she hit against the wind. They were the shots one could admire from the other end."

India avoids whitewash

The Indian women’s team finally managed to get their first victory in the five-game ODI series against New Zealand. After losing four straight games, the Women in Blue chased down a total of 252 runs in 46 overs for the loss of four wickets. Smriti Mandhana was the pick of the batters as she scored 71 runs off 84 balls with Harmanpreet Kaur who also scored 62 from 66 balls. Mithali Raj and Richa Ghosh finished as the series ended 4-1.