NEW DELHI: Social media was abuzz with criticism after India’s shock four-run capitulation against England in their 2025 Women’s World Cup group stage match. The hosts meekly surrendered despite needing 36 runs off 30 balls with six wickets in hand, crumbling to an all-too-familiar throttle against Nat Sciver-Brunt’s side. The defeat brought back unpleasant memories of India’s loss in the 2017 World Cup final against the same opposition, where they lost the last seven wickets for 28 runs in 6.5 overs.Pundits have questioned the lack of intent, stressing that it is a major issue in high-pressure face-offs against big opponents such as Australia during the knockout stages of the tournament. Richa Ghosh stepped in just when the Indian team needed to change the game – during the semi-final against Australia and the final against South Africa – smashing the ball fearlessly on the biggest stage. The 22-year-old wicket-keeper batsman hit 26 off 16 balls in the semi-final, a knock that included two fours and two sixes, which helped the hosts take a commanding lead in their chase of 339. Richa went on to advance in the final when the team needed big hits following the dismissal of Shafali Verma and Harmanpreet, which saw Kaur four44, Kaur four4. sixes.While the Bengali cricketer’s heroics were on full display, what made these feats even more impressive was the pain barrier she pushed through to play for the national team. As revealed by Bengal fast bowling coach Shib Shankar Paul, who has been training her since the age of 13, Richa suffered a hairline fracture on the middle finger of her left hand.
Richa Ghosh (ANI)
“Richa suffered a broken finger, but despite that she smashed massive sixes, which shows her willpower. I told her, ‘Don’t worry. All the pain will go away, but the World Cup can’t get away from us. Come back after winning the tournament.’ She replied, ‘Yes, I have lost the opportunity to win the World Cup in 2022. This time I have to take it’,” Paul said in an exclusive interaction with TimesofIndia.com.During the recently concluded World Cup, Richa scored 235 runs in eight innings at an average of 39.16, with a strike rate of 133.52 — the highest in the tournament. The Bengal cricketer also led the way in hitting sixes, smashing 12. Richa’s highly impressive performance particularly shone in the group stage match against eventual finalists South Africa, where she scored 94 off 77 balls in a knock that included 11 fours and four sixes. This success is the result of a fearless but structured training program, built on immense discipline and dietary control.“Richa started as a big hitter, but I told her to bat at number five and finish the matches. She bats daily from morning to night, facing 100-150 balls from each at-bat with a specific focus on power hitting. Training is conducted with the boys. Richa does not wear thigh pads, even when I ask her to during practice, and even if she hits a car once, she will not leave the field. I told the owner of the glass: ‘Take a picture with her when Richa helps India win the World Cup’,” said Paul.Rich’s significant success also stemmed from better mental clarity about which supplies to use. Her former coach from Siliguri, Gopal Saha, highlighted a post-T20 match interview that changed her approach to shot selection. “I told her to respect good deliveries rather than trying to hit every ball for a six. That conversation changed her mindset, which made her more alert in her deliveries,” Saha said.
Richa Ghosh (Photo: Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)
The 22-year-old wicketkeeper idolizes MS Dhoni and has met the legendary cricketer several times. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly also guides Richa and urges Paul to focus on her fitness.“She is very particular about her diet and has stopped eating chocolate and other food. Richa’s fitness has improved a lot. There is a specific cook who prepares chicken when she comes for training and avoids rice. Richa’s only indulgence is drinking tea. Being part of the Indian team has been a game-changer in her fitness journey and has given her clarity on what it takes to travel long distances. She often travels to Kolkata from Siliguri for training despite coming from a financially disadvantaged background. humble family, her ultimate goal is to play three more World Cups – which is definitely achievable,” said Paul.
