Women's T20 Challenge 2022 | MS Dhoni's 2011 World Cup-winning six inspired me, says Velocity's Kiran Navgire

India's 2011 World Cup-winning campaign has always been synonymous with Mahendra Singh Dhoni's six off Nuwan Kulasekara in the final. Several cricketers domestically and globally have been inspired by the showing in that match against Sri Lanka, with female cricketer Kiran Navgire being the latest entrant.

The Solapur-born player exhibited her six-hitting capabilities in the ongoing Women's T20 Challenge 2022 for Velocity during their match against the Trailblazers. She smashed a 34-ball 69, which included five sixes and as many 4s to help he qualify for the final on May 27, even though Velocity ended up on the losing side.

In the post-match interview, Navgire pointed out that MS Dhoni has been her inspiration and wants to hit bowlers for sixes like her idol.

"I really feel good when I hit sixes and whenever I practise in the nets. I practice hitting sixes, I follow Dhoni sir and I love finishing like him, hitting big sixes," the right-hander said.

She further spoke about how the former India skipper's unbeaten knock of 91 in the World Cup final helped her improve as a player and made her a better athlete.

"I watched the 2011 World Cup final and Dhoni sir's winning sixer is something that impressed me and remained imprinted in my head. That six inspired me and I always feel that in every match, I can hit a six like that," she added.

The former state-level shot-putter from Maharashtra explained her approach to batting in detail.

"I don't like playing dot balls and want to score something off every ball and hence I got a good score. In domestic cricket, I hadn't batted up the order but I had a good season there and had some good scores. My game revolves around my power hitting ability and if it's in my arc, I send it out of the park and if there are good balls, I like to rotate strikes playing singles and doubles," Navgire clarified, who plays for Nagaland in domestic cricket.

Playing only her second match, the girl from Mire village thanked the coach and captain for calming her nerves.

"Initially, I was a bit nervous but then everything settled down. The captain (Deepti) and teammates gave me lot of confidence. Coach Devika ma'am said 'you don't need to look at the bowler but at the ball' and I did just that," the 28-year-old concluded.

She will next be seen in action when Velocity clashes against the Supernovas in the final of the WT20 challenge on Saturday in Pune.