I was impressed with MS Dhoni's power-hitting abilities, he's my idol: Richa Ghosh

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh was in a spotlight after she played a majestic knock of 52 runs off 26 balls in the fourth ODI against New Zealand at the John Davies Oval, Queenstown. Inspired by Indian legend MS Dhoni, the 18-year old wants to emulate his performance, while playing for the national side.

In a record, the right-handed batter registered the fastest fifty by an Indian batter in Women’s ODIs, but in a losing cause. Ghosh smashed four boundaries and four sixes in the blistering knock but perished soon after reaching the milestone.

The wicketkeeper-batter got out after playing a gem knock of 52 runs in the 13th over at a score of 96 for 5. Team India, while chasing 191-run in a rain-affected game could only manage 128 runs. The defeat presented New Zealand with a 4-1 lead in the five-match series.

I was impressed with MS Dhoni’s hitting ability: Richa Ghosh

“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,” Ghosh was quoted by Hindustan Times.

Captain Mithali Raj also praised the 18-year old batter and said that she was in awe of her shot-playing ability. “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,” Mithali said.

India recorded their first victory of the tour on February 24, but New Zealand grabbed the series by 4-1 margin. Mithali, Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur starred with the bat to ensure India pulls off a comfortable win in the final game of the series.