India’s eves beat Australia in the second T20 of the ongoing 5-match T20I series on Sunday to level the series. The Indian side under Harmanpreet Kaur managed a quick turnaround after receiving a one-sided thrashing on Friday at the hands of the same opposition. It was an ignominious loss as India could only pick up just one wicket. Sunday was a repeat in this aspect as the Aussies once again conceded just one wicket.
However, in both games, a 19-year-old girl stepped up when the team needed her the most. Richa Ghosh, India’s wicketkeeper has had a magnificent series thus far, making valuable contributions in both games at the DY Patil Sports Academy Stadium. In the opening game, she walked in to bat with her team in a spot of bother at 76-4. Most players of her age would have flustered because of the situation but Richa Ghosh held her nerve to provide the team with the finish that was needed. She ended up smashing 36 runs off 20 deliveries, which lifted India to a score of 172-5.
In the second T20I, she was again at it, this time making 26 runs off 13 deliveries and remaining not out in India’s pursuit of 188. Her cameo helped India tie the scores and take the game to a super over. Her performance obviously impressed the management which decided to send her for the super over as well. She smashed a six-over long-on off the first delivery bowled by debutant Heather Graham and it did not take the fans too long to create a connection between Ghosh and a legend in Indian cricket- MS Dhoni.
Like Dhoni, Ghosh is also a wicketkeeper-batter who bats lower down the order. Like Dhoni, Ghosh is also a power-hitter who is known for hitting long sixes. And much like Dhoni did after smashing Nuwan Kulasekara for a six on the night of 2nd April 2011, Ghosh too held a pose after smashing Graham’s first ball into the stands. This was enough to send a huge number of fans on a nostalgic ride.
FRAME THIS!!! ❤️🇮🇳#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/QhlaAUNBV1
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) December 11, 2022
A past interview in which Ghosh reveals her admiration for Dhoni has since, resurfaced on the internet and has only added to the narrative. India will hope that this is just the start of the connection between the youngster and Dhoni because if it is, the country will have a gem at its disposal for many years ahead. She has already shown glimpses of her talent in the few games that she has played for India and the future looks very bright for Ghosh.
Ekdum dhoni kaa yaad dila diya tha jis tarah batting kar rhi thi richa
— JAYESH KUMAR SINGHOVIC (@JKS212509) December 12, 2022