Richa Ghosh scored fastest ODI fifty for India women's team, surpassing Veda Krishnamurthy.
18-year-old batter Richa Ghosh recently scored the fastest ODI fifty by an Indian women's cricketer. She surpassed Veda Krishnamurthy’s previous best of a 32-ball fifty and completed the half-century in just 26 deliveries against New Zealand.
India captain Mithali Raj had a chat with Richa after the five-match ODI series, in which India lost to New Zealand by 4-1. Mithali asked the youngster about her inspiration and she took the name of former India men's captain MS Dhoni.
Richa used to look up to his father, who also played cricket, in his childhood days. She then started following cricket and Dhoni impressed her with his batting and wicketkeeping skills.
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"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," she said on bcci.tv.
"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 added.
Mithali praised Richa for her knock and 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, after losing the first four matches, won the final ODI by 6 wickets. They chased down 252 runs comfortably in just 46 overs.