I have always looked up to MS Dhoni and he is a big inspiration, says Taniya Bhatia

Taniya Bhatia, India wicket-keeper, called MS Dhoni, the former India captain who announced his retirement from international cricket on Saturday (August 15), an inspirational figure and said that she has always looked up to him.

“I just met him once and I was actually very shy. I don’t know. I didn’t actually interact with him that much. Obviously, he is a big inspiration to me,” Bhatia was quoted as saying by Times of India.

“Although I have no as such particular memories with him…I have huge respect for him as a captain, leader, finisher and as a keeper who is extremely quick behind the stumps.”

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22-year-old Bhatia has played 65 international matches for India across formats and has accounted for 37 catches and 52 stumpings behind the wicket. Her swift work with gloves has impressed everyone since her debut in 2018 and drawn comparison with the former Indian captain’s glovework especially the speed and agility when it comes to pulling off stumpings.

Bhatia, who topped the wicket-keeping charts in the last two T20 World Cups, said the comparison motivates her to work harder on her skills.

“It feels great when people often refer (to) me as the Lady MS and I will cherish the title forever. There is no point of comparison because I have always looked up to him. I am a huge fan of his hand-eye coordination. But I think it feels great. I mean, it motivates to work me harder,” she added.

Bhatia was part of the Indian side that played Australia in the final of the 2020 T20 World Cup in March in front of a packed MCG before cricket came to halt owing to the restrictions imposed in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. She will return to the field during the Women’s T20 Challenge that’s scheduled to be played during November first week in the United Arab Emirates at the time of the men's IPL knockouts.

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