Talented all-rounder Kanika Ahuja said that a conversation with India batting great Virat Kohli gave her the confidence to play an aggressive inning of 46 runs to give Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) their first win in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) here. RCB’s team ended the five-match losing streak by achieving the target of 136 runs for the loss of five wickets in 18 overs.
“Virat sir told us that there is no pressure here, it’s a matter of happiness,” said the 20-year-old Kanika from Punjab after her blistering 30-ball 46. Skipped the practice session and instead met the RCB women’s team competing in the WPL here in Mumbai. Kanika, who reached the press conference for the first time, said, “He (Kohli) told us not to let the pressure dominate us after entering the field. He said that it is a matter of happiness that we are getting a chance to play here, not everyone gets such an opportunity.
Kanika said that she wants to master playing shots in every corner of the ground like Suryakumar Yadav. Apart from scoring 46 runs, Man of the Match Kanika ensured the team’s victory by sharing 46 runs for the fourth wicket with Heather Knight (24) and 60 runs for the fifth wicket with Richa Ghosh (31 not out). “I had one thing in my mind that no matter what happens, we have to win. The target was not big so we could take our time and play according to the conditions. We waited to take advantage of the weak balls.
