.|| CF Corrospendent ||

 Saurashtra Cricket Association’s U-23 women’s team captain Riddhi Ruparel is over the moon to have 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 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.” 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. Initially he takes his time in batting but then he plays so well late. I feel I should also play like him,” she said.