Richa Ghosh’s Unyielding Spirit: Battling Through Injury in World Cup Climax

In 2014, Richa Ghosh quietly made her way to Kolkata as a young Bengal Under-19 player. Her hometown offered few opportunities, forcing her to play with boys due to the lack of separate facilities for women. Such challenges were common in the outskirts where women’s cricket often went unnoticed. However, former Ranji Trophy player Charanjit Singh Matharu, coaching the Bengal U-19s, soon recognized her exceptional talent.

A year later, Shib Shankar Paul, a former India A pacer and senior women’s team coach, was similarly impressed by Richa’s power-hitting. “At her age, I never imagined such strength was possible,” recalls Shib Shankar, affectionately known as Maco da. Local players at Eden Gardens quickly learned about the 13-year-old from Siliguri who could smash the ball with incredible force. “Khub jore maare,” they often remarked, meaning, “She hits the ball really hard.”

Fast forward nearly ten years, Shib Shankar is now the fast-bowling coach for the senior Bengal men’s team. On Monday, November 3, he found himself distracted during a team meeting in Agartala due to a flurry of video call requests.

After the meeting, he quickly answered the call. On the other end was Richa, not just the promising cricketer from Bengal, but now the first senior World Cup winner from the state. India had just secured a historic 52-run victory over South Africa to win their first Women’s World Cup. In that moment, Shib Shankar seemed to temporarily forget the men’s team’s earlier struggles. His happiness for Richa’s success was evident as he likely fought back tears.

“I’m overjoyed,” he shared. “It feels like my own daughter succeeded. The person I’ve trained for countless hours has conquered the world. We are all incredibly proud of her.” He also acknowledged Richa’s father, Manabendra, who supported her journey with dedication.

When asked if Richa’s achievement felt like his own, Shib Shankar responded, “No, this victory is hers alone. I just want to share in the joy she’s feeling,” adding that everyone connected to Richa, including his family, celebrated her success enthusiastically.

As their conversation ended, Shib Shankar reflected on the moment. “I congratulated her, and of course, she hadn’t slept after the victory. It was a historic moment, 52 years in the making.”

During the tournament, Richa scored 235 runs in eight innings with a strike rate of 133.52, breaking several records. She became the Indian woman with the most sixes in a single World Cup edition and the leading run-scorer in the final overs. Her remarkable 77-ball 94 against South Africa is now the highest score by a No. 8 batter in Women’s ODIs. Amazingly, she played the knockout stages despite a hairline fracture in her left-hand middle finger, showcasing true grit and mental strength.

Shib Shankar revealed Richa batted through her injury with determination. Her success at various positions throughout the World Cup highlighted her adaptability and tenacity.

Shib Shankar also noted the broader impact of women’s cricket, inspired by pioneers like Mithali Raj, Anjum Chopra, and Jhulan Goswami. “Every state women’s team is becoming more professional. They have licensed trainers and analysts now,” he observed. The surge in support, with fans wearing jerseys of women cricketers and arenas filled with tens of thousands, marks a bright future for the sport in India.

Published on November 4, 2025