‘He is my idol’
India have so many talents that one would not contemplate finding an age-level cricketer looking up to a cricketer from Bangladesh, but Suarashtra Cricket Association’s U-23 women’s team captain Riddhi Ruparel is one such example as she wants to mould her game after Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batsman Mushfiqur Rahim.
The women’s U-23 were present at the ground to watch the Bangladesh team’s practice at Rajkot’s Suharashtra Cricket Stadium and Riddhi was waiting by the sidelines watching her favourite cricketer closely.
Just like Mushfiqur, she is also a wicketkeeper-batsman and bats in the top order. The similarities between the two only begin there.
“I have been following him for two years. Last time I went to Bangladesh I wanted to meet him and Shakib Al Hasan but they were in some of the tournaments so I wasn’t able to meet them. I represented Kalabagan [Krira Chakra] in Bangladesh’s league,” Riddhi said.
Mushfiqur’s fantastic knock lifted Bangladesh through the gloom of the last couple of weeks and handed the Tigers their first T20I victory against India and Riddhi beamed about her idol while talking to reporters.
“I idolise him because I am a wicketkeeper and a top-order batsman so the way he played in the last game made me feel like I could also play like that. Initially, he took time but suddenly he changed the game. Even after the catch was dropped, he was positive in his approach. He said ‘I will make my team win’. I idolise him and also want to play like him.”
When questioned how Mushfiqur had garnered her adoration, Riddhi said: “I think he is the smallest in international cricket and I am the smallest in domestic cricket. Height doesn’t matter because even short players can make the team win.”
It naturally piqued reporters’ interests that a young Indian cricketer would idolise Mushy when her country’s cricket has produced so many superstars.
“I idolise him and also Indian cricketers like [MS] Dhoni, but their game is totally different [to mine] so I idolise Mushfiqur because he has a similar game to mine. Initially, he takes his time in batting but then he plays so well late on. I feel I should also play like him,” the small-statured cricketer said.
The spirited cricketer’s comments led to a discussion and Mushfiqur was finally approached by a BCCI personnel who arranged for Riddhi to meet her idol. The shy but captivated Riddhi smiled from ear to ear when meeting her idol and Mushfiqur was impressed when he heard that his fan was representing the national U-23 side. The right-hander agreed to a photo with his young fan. “Good luck,” Mushy told her before leaving for the dressing room.