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| Image Source: Rediff |
The young wicketkeeper-batter from Siliguri wasn't just a part of the Indian team; she was the silent warrior who battled injury, expectation, and the world's best bowlers to help secure India’s historic maiden title.
Richa Ghosh Biography: The Roots of a Warrior
Born on September 28, 2003, in Siliguri, West Bengal, Richa Ghosh’s journey is one of sheer dedication supported by immense Richa Ghosh family sacrifice. Her father, Manabendra Ghosh, a former club cricketer and part-time umpire, recognized her talent early. Richa started accompanying him to club matches from the age of four.
Since Siliguri didn't have a dedicated girls' team, Richa honed her unique, power-hitting style by playing with boys, a challenging environment that forged her mental toughness. Her father fully committed to her career, selling his business to support her cricketing ambitions. This foundational training, focused on aggressive stroke play, is why she bats with a strike rate that few can match, making her a truly modern cricketer. She proudly wears jersey number 13 for India. At approximately 5 ft 5 in (165 cm), her physical Richa Ghosh height is perfectly tuned for explosive lower-order batting.
The World Record Setter and Fearless Finisher
Richa Ghosh is not merely a hard hitter; she is a record-breaker whose recent achievements have cemented her status as one of the most impactful players in the global game.
She holds a significant Richa Ghosh world record in Women's ODIs:
- Highest Score by a Batter at No. 8 or Lower: During the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 league stage, Richa scored a blistering 94 runs off just 77 balls against South Africa, a heroic knock that rescued India from 102/6 and set a new world standard for a lower-order batter. This stands as her Richa Ghosh highest score in ODIs to date.
She also equaled another world record by hitting 12 sixes in the single edition of the ICC Women's World Cup 2025, matching the feat of legends like Deandra Dottin and Lizelle Lee. She also holds the record for the joint-fastest fifty in Women's T20Is (18 balls against West Indies in late 2024), underscoring her incredible acceleration ability.
The Gritty Knock and WPL Success
What truly defined her World Cup performance was her grit in the knockout stages. In the crucial semi-final against Australia and the final against South Africa, Richa played through a painful hairline fracture in her left hand’s middle finger.
In the semi-final, her quickfire 26 off 16 balls provided the decisive acceleration. In the final, a composed but fiery 34 off 24 balls ensured India posted an unassailable total. Her coach, Shib Shankar Paul, revealed that she "endured that pain," showcasing a mental fortitude well beyond her 22 years.
Her value as a high-impact finisher is also evident in the Richa Ghosh WPL career. She plays for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and was integral to their 2024 WPL title win. In the 2024 season, she was RCB's third-highest run-getter, scoring at a strike rate of 141.8, and often providing the finishing touch in pressure moments.
The Future of Indian Cricket
Richa Ghosh is the only Indian cricketer to have won the ICC U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup (2023), the WPL trophy (2024), and the senior Women’s World Cup (2025).
Her Richa Ghosh teammates—from captain Harmanpreet Kaur to star opener Smriti Mandhana—rely on her fearless approach to complete the innings. Her journey from the dusty fields of Siliguri, batting with boys, to the global stage, lifting the World Cup trophy while battling a fractured finger, makes her an icon of modern Indian sport and a truly inspirational figure for the next generation.
