Riddhi meets her idol Mushy

A buoyant Bangladesh team were practising at the Shaurastra Cricket Association Stadium this morning, preparing for the second T20 against India, scheduled for November 7.

The players underwent a light warm-up session followed by fielding exercises. The Saurashtra women’s under-23 team were watching the Bangladesh team train. It turned out that one of them, the team captain Riddhi Ruparel, was a cricketer who wanted to mould herself after Bangladesh wicket-keeper batsman Mushfiqur Rahim.

“I have been following him [Mushfiqur] for two years. Last time I went to Bangladesh I wanted to meet him and Shakib Al Hasan but they were in some tournament, so I wasn’t able to meet them. I represented Kalabagan [Krira Chakra] in Bangladesh’s league,” she said while talking to the reporters at the ground.

Mushfiqur played a magnificent knock which helped Bangladesh win their first-ever T20 match against India. Riddhi was inspired by the way Mushfiqur batted.” I idolise him because I am a wicket-keeper and a top-order batsman so the way he played in the last game, I feel I 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 idolize him and also want to play like him,” Riddhi said.

While she couldn’t meet her idol in Bangladesh, she did get her wish fulfilled today when a few reporters and BCCI officials arranged for her to meet the Bangladesh star. Riddhi was all smiles standing beside Mushy. At the end of their conversation, Mushy told her: Best of luck.