India leg-spinner Poonam Yadav has said that she wants Richa Ghosh to perform well against Sri Lanka in their women's T20 World Cup game and believes that the 21-year-old will be the one to look out for in this all-Asian clash. She added that Richa has always been her favourite player and besides power, she has the brains to use it appropriately as well.

India suffered a 58-run loss to New Zealand in their opening match but then beat arch-rivals Pakistan by six wickets to get their campaign back on track. But every game from hereon is a knockout game for India and Poonam believes Richa will be key to India's chances against Asia Cup champions Sri Lanka.

The India spinner was asked to pick a player to watch out for in the India vs Sri Lanka group-stage clash of the T20 World Cup and she chose Richa.

"Richa Ghosh has always been my favourite player because whenever I have seen her bat, the way she bats, she is powerful, but you also need brains along with power and she has that," Poonam said while speaking on Star Sports.

"She goes for big hits only when it's required. Otherwise, she plays with singles and doubles. She is an expert in playing the cut shot. I want Richa Ghosh to perform splendidly," Poonam added.

The youngster has scored 872 runs in 46 T20Is, at a strike rate of 137.97. She has just one half-century to her name but is the most suited in the format in the entire lineup.

Richa's last two innings read 12 and zero and she will be desperate to play a match-winning knock against Sri Lanka. But against the Lankans, she has scored 59 runs in four matches at a dismal average of 14.75.

This is the first time that Richa is playing in the UAE.

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