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Richa Ghosh: A powerful enforcer that India Women badly need to overcome World Cup jinx

Prachi Rajan

Richa Ghosh India women's savior (Source: AFP)Richa Ghosh India women's savior (Source: AFP)

Donning the Indian jersey is always a proud moment. But becoming the player your team turns to in a crisis? That’s when stars are born.

At just 22, Siliguri-born Richa Ghosh is not only donning the blue but rescuing the Indian women's team by keeping calm under pressure and explosive stroke play. In the ongoing ICC Women's ODI World Cup 2025, she has become the backbone of India’s middle order, doing what only a few could do in the past, for the Women in Blue: stabilize and accelerate in high-pressure stages of the game.

Back-to-back Women's World Cup 2025 heroics

In India’s World Cup games against Pakistan women and South Africa women, Ghosh walked in when the top order had already faltered. Her response? Two contrasting yet equally impactful innings.

Opponent
Score
Balls
SR
Pakistan-W35*20175
S. Africa-W94*77122

In both matches, Ghosh rescued her team after a disappointing top-order crumble. Her combined tally, 129 runs off 97 balls at a strike rate of 133, makes her India’s standout batter in the tournament so far.

Unlike many in Harmanpreet Kaur-led India’s line-up, Ghosh has shown the ability to read the game situation and shift gears, anchoring when required and attacking when needed.

Mind you, this World Cup form is no fluke. Ghosh has shown her knack for pressure situations before as well.

On the 'Bold & Beyond' podcast by Royal Challengers Bengaluru, she recalled a domestic match for Bengal where the team was struggling at 20-odd runs in 10 overs. Ghosh smashed 60–70 off just 30 balls, lifting Bengal to 170, a match-winning effort that showcased her ability to change games single-handedly.

Notably, her time in the franchise cricket in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) has also witnessed her finishing abilities amd strokeplay, skills now translating to the international level.

Solving a Longstanding Puzzle for India

India Women's Cricket Team has long struggled to find a wicketkeeper who could contribute crucial runs in the middle and lower order. Most of the previous options offered either glove work or just batting, rarely both at the international standard.

With Richa Ghosh, that gap might finally be closed.

Here’s what she brings:

  • Power-hitting flexibility: Can bat from No. 4 to No. 7.
  • Strike rate efficiency: Among the top 5 in the tournament so far
  • Game sense under pressure: Knows when to anchor, when to explode
  • Wicketkeeping consistency: A reliable presence behind the stumps

In many ways, Ghosh is India’s closest answer to Australia’s Alyssa Healy or England’s Sarah Taylor. She is a dynamic wicketkeeper-batter who can dominate the opposition and bring balance to the XI. This allows India to play an extra bowler or all-rounder without weakening the batting spine, giving them a crucial tactical edge in the ICC tournaments.

Crossing a Milestone: 1000+ ODI Runs and Counting

Her knock against South Africa, although in a losing cause, saw her cross the 1000-run mark in women’s ODIs, a significant achievement for someone who debuted at just 16.

What makes this milestone even more special is the context: Ghosh has played most of her career under pressure, often walking in after early wickets and turning matches with her composure and stroke play.

Given her form and match awareness, a strong case can be made to promote Ghosh up the order. India’s top-order fragility may demand a rethink of batting roles, and Ghosh looks ready for a No. 4 or even No. 3 experiment. 

Playing the ICC Women World Cup 2025 at home, Harmanpreet Kaur and Co. would like to optimise all the positives, and regroup to overcome the huddles. Considering this is their best opportunity to win an ICC trophy, next steps should move towards the hoping to ending the ICC jinx.