RAJKOT, Nov 5, 2019 (BSS)-The long wait for Suarashtra Cricket
Association’s U-23 women’s team captain Riddhi Ruparel is finally over as his
crush Mushfiqur Rahim gives her the chance to take a picture with him.
As Bangladesh landed in India for a full bilateral series, Riddhi is
waiting when Mushfiqur would come in Rajkot as she was keen to meet him, whom
she describes as her childhood crush.
Mushfiqur Rahim didn’t disappoint even though his epic 43 ball-60 that
scripted Bangladesh’s seven-wicket win over India in the first T20 came
against her country.
But she is over the moon to get a chance to have a picture with her
childhood crush Mushfiqur Rahim.
The women’s U-23 were present at the ground watching the Bangladesh
team’s practice at Rajkot’s Suharashtra Cricket Stadium.
Riddhi was waiting by the sidelines watching her favourite cricketer
closely.
“I have been following him for two years. Last time I went to Bangladesh
and 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.” Ridhi told reporters at the ground on
Tuesday.
“I idolize him because I am a wicket-keeper and a top-order batsman so
the way he played in the last game I feel like 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,’ she said adding his
height played a part behind this adoration.
“I think he is the smallest in international cricket and I am the
smallest in domestic cricket. Height doesn’t matter as even short players can
make the team win,” the small-statured cricketer said.
“I idolize him and also Indian cricketers like [MS] Dhoni but their game
is totally different [to mine] so I idolize Mushfiqur because he has a
similar game to me.”
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 captivation Riddhi smiled from ear to ear when meeting her
idol. Mushfiqur was impressed when he heard that her fan is representing the
national U-23 side as well.
He agreed to a photo with his young fan. “Good luck,” Mushy told her
before leaving for the dressing room.