Indian star wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh showcased her explosive talent once again in the Women’s World Cup, smashing a brilliant 94 runs to guide India to a formidable total of 251 against South Africa. This pivotal innings came after a shaky start from the Indian top order, highlighting Ghosh’s growing importance as a game-changer.
The ACA-VDCA Stadium pitch, noted as the most favorable batting surface India had encountered in the tournament so far, offered no easy answers for the early batting struggles. Despite this, openers Pratika Rawal (37) and Smriti Mandhana (23) provided a promising 55-run opening stand in just over ten overs. Rawal’s elegant strokeplay, particularly a graceful cover drive off Marizanne Kapp, was a treat to watch. Mandhana, however, couldn’t quite find her rhythm and departed after hitting one six, falling to left-arm spinner Noku Mlaba.
The innings took a drastic turn for the worse when Harleen Deol was dismissed, leaving India at 83 for one. What followed was a dramatic collapse, with five more wickets tumbling for a mere 19 runs. Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur all succumbed cheaply, leaving India reeling at a precarious 102 for six.
It was at this critical juncture that Ghosh took charge. She forged a vital 51-run partnership with Amanjot Kaur (13), steadily pushing India past the 150-run mark. Ghosh’s 77-ball masterclass, featuring 11 fours and 4 towering sixes, demonstrated her exceptional judgment of the pitch and impeccable shot timing. Even after being dropped twice on 76 and 84, she remained unfazed, accelerating her scoring to add 44 runs in just 24 balls during the latter part of her innings.
Finding another reliable partner in Sneh Rana (33), Ghosh continued her assault, adding a rapid 88 runs off just 53 balls for the eighth wicket. This crucial partnership ensured India reached a respectable total to defend. Ghosh’s valiant effort concluded in the final over, as she was dismissed just six runs shy of a well-deserved century. She also narrowly missed becoming the first Indian woman wicketkeeper to achieve a World Cup century.
This standout performance saw Ghosh cross the 1,000-run milestone in Women’s ODIs, maintaining an impressive strike rate above 100 throughout. She now joins an exclusive club of power-hitters like Chloe Tryon (South Africa) and Ashleigh Gardner (Australia). Her commanding display against South Africa reinforced her role as a crucial finisher and a dependable batter capable of performing under immense pressure for the Indian team.