RCB has finally returned to the winning zone where the 20-year-old Kanika Ahuja helped her side win. She has revealed that it was the biggest moment of her cricket career so far. Hitting a 30-ball 46 against UP Warriorz, the Punjab all-rounder helped end Royal Challengers Bangalore’s losing streak in the inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
Even as the big names like captain Smriti Mandhana, Ellyse Perry, and Sophie Devine also failed in the middle, it was the young Ahuja who stole the limelight as RCB opened their account in the tournament. Addressing the first-ever press conference of her nascent career, Kanika Ahuja gave credit to Virat Kohli’s pep talk for the extra motivation that the team carried for their must-win match in the competition.
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“Virat sir told us there is nothing about pressure here, it is all about the pleasure,” Kanika Ahuja said. “He told us to not put ourselves under pressure when we are out there in the middle. He said it is a matter of pleasure that we are getting to play here, not everyone gets a similar opportunity,” she added.
Virat Kohli’s pep talk to the RCB Women’s Team
King came. He spoke. He inspired. He’d be proud watching the girls play the way they did last night. Watch @imVkohli's pre-match chat in the team room on Bold Diaries.#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB #WPL2023 pic.twitter.com/fz1rxZnID2
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) March 16, 2023
“The thing I had in my mind was that come whatever may, we have to win. The target was also low, hence there was time for us to take our time and play accordingly. We waited for loose balls to capitalise,” she said.
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Kanika Ahuja also revealed that her mother was the driving force behind her becoming a cricketer, dedicating her knock to her mother who has been unwell as well.
