Richa Ghosh: The wonder woman from India with a magic touch

Shreyasi

Richa Ghosh, the born winner [Source: AFP Photos]Richa Ghosh, the born winner [Source: AFP Photos]

The 22-year-old Richa Ghosh is undoubtedly one of the brightest stars of Indian women team’s World Cup triumph. She might be one of the youngest members of the team but has a long tryst with the trophies. 

The hard-hitting wicketkeeper batter has been playing cricket from a very young age and has already won some of the most prestigious ones in the women’s game.

Promising youngster who makes every opportunity count

Ghosh made her India debut at the age of 16 in the final of a Tri-series against Australia just before the 2020 T20 World Cup. Although India failed to cross the final hurdle in that match as well as in the subsequent T20 World Cup, Ghosh got her opportunities and made her mark in front and behind the wicket as well.

Richa Ghosh after winning Under-19 trophy [Source: X/13richaghosh]Richa Ghosh after winning Under-19 trophy [Source: X/13richaghosh]

By 2022, teenager Ghosh made herself a regular in India team and got selected as the wicket keeper of the Indian Under-19 team for the first ever ICC Under-19 World Cup in South Africa. The Shafali Verma led team dominated the tournament, winning the final against England by 7 wickets. 

Richa required to bat in just 4 innings and in those limited opportunities, she scored 93 runs with a strike rate of 127.39 and contributed to 6 dismissals, 3 catches, and 3 stumpings. This was the first ever ICC trophy won by any Indian women’s team and Ghosh was a prominent member of the victorious unit.

Winning boundary by Richa Ghosh to bring maiden trophy for RCB

The WPL, women’s version of the IPL, also started in 2023, and Ghosh was part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore Women’s team. The team management spent 1.90 crore to get her service during the 2023 auction. 

This made Ghosh one of the most expensive buys of the WPL. After a disappointing first season, the RCB women made a strong comeback in the 2024 season under the captaincy of Smriti Mandhana. Ghosh remained at the forefront, making important contributions throughout the tournament.

Richa Ghosh in WPL [Source: X/CricCineHub]Richa Ghosh in WPL [Source: X/CricCineHub]

In the final RCB beat the Delhi Capitals, led by the great Meg Lanning, by 8 wickets with Ghosh hitting the winning boundary in the final over of the chase. Overall, Ghosh scored 257 runs in the tournament and was third highest run scorer for her team behind Ellyse Perry and Mandhana. 

Her strike rate of 141.98 was highest among all batters with at least 250 runs in the tournament. He smashed 2 fifties and contributed 13 dismissals, including 10 stumpings that eventually helped the franchise win their first ever major trophy.

Final frontier: ICC Women's World Cup 2025

But Ghosh’ big one was kept for the World Cup final. Last Sunday, she made herself a significant part of the victorious Indian team playing two handy cameos in the semifinal and the final. 

Her innovative, aggressive batting and hitting capability was something to cherish. Her best knock of the tournament came in the group stage against South Africa when coming to bat at 102/6 she scored 94 off 77 deliveries with 11 fours and 4 sixes, the highest score by a number 8 batter in women’s ODI.

Richa Ghosh with Women's ODI World Cup 2025 [Source: X/13richaghosh]Richa Ghosh with Women's ODI World Cup 2025 [Source: X/13richaghosh]

At such a young age, Ghosh is part of some great triumphs, and it is interesting that her contributions have always helped her teams to get their long-awaited trophies. Apart from these coveted trophies, Richa Ghosh also has Asian Games Gold and Commonwealth Games Silver in her cabinet.

Hailing from Siliguri, she is already one of the most decorated women cricketers from India and always remains in demand for franchise leagues like BBL and the Hundred. Ghosh has idolized Mahendra Singh Dhoni since childhood, and no wonder her teams look up to her for the balance she provides and the contributions she makes every time she is on the ground. 

Ghosh who began to play cricket as a bowler and opening batter, changed her approach to the game thanks to Shiv Shankar Paul, former Bengal women’s team coach. Her style changed and she came in the limelight in no time only to win titles for her teams with the magic touch.