Kolkata : Richa Ghosh, the name associated with big hitting and idolizing legendary MS Dhoni, has etched her name into history books, becoming first Bengali Cricketer to win World Cup. Her knock of 34 runs at the end of the innings in final against South Africa proved vital for India.
Throughout the tournament she played crucial knocks under pressure that proved pivotal in India’s win. Bengal produced talents like Sourav Ganguly, Jhulan Goswami and so on, but none of them had the opportunity to have hands on coveted World Cup Trophy despite coming near. However, yesterday Richa Ghosh finally did it, after winning WPL and U19 titles, she clinched maiden World Cup for India.
Small-town girl’s success brought the loudest cheer to her home in Siliguri. Richa’s journey, from a little girl with a bat as big as her to an international star, has been a source of immense joy for her family. Richa was born on September 28, 2003, in Siliguri, West Bengal. Her father, Manabendra, is a cricket umpire, and her mother, Swapna Ghosh, is a homemaker. She has an elder sister, Shomasree, who is pursuing Media Science.
For Manabendra Ghosh, watching his daughter, wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, on the field in the World Cup final was a moment that transcended expression. The pride he felt was shared across a nation.
“Watching her live and seeing the team lifting the cup is a feeling that no one understands — it is beyond expression,” he said, speaking to The Indian Express after the match from Mumbai.
“Couldn’t sleep the whole night… countless calls and messages. People are saying it is historic — it will change and inspire generations. But I always knew my daughter and all these girls would win the World Cup. Sometimes luck favours, sometimes it doesn’t, but hard work and perseverance always pay,” said Ghosh.
“My daughter is always very soft spoken, disciplined. Seeing her talking after the match on the ground while the stadium cheered is a feeling only a father or mother can understand,” he shared.
Richa Ghosh is the only Indian player to have won the Under-19 World Cup, the WPL trophy, and the senior World Cup.
Manabendra Ghosh said cricket happened naturally. “One by one, she conquered all and we are a proud family. She has been part of the Under-19 World Championship, WPL, and now the senior World Cup. She is the only one who was there in all three”.
Her splendid performances at the junior level led her into the senior Bengal team in 2012-13. Richa made her debut for the Bengal Under-19s when she was 11 years old, and later, at 12, she played for the Bengal Under-23 team. In February 2020, she earned her place in the Indian side for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
When asked about the fame Richa has brought, the father of two daughters was quick to clarify his priorities. “Popularity has never been on our mind. She has been quite popular before the World Cup also. More than popularity, it gives me immense pride that she is part of this history.”
He added that he never felt the need for a son and that society in Bengal, in general, worships the girl child.
The emotional intensity of the moment was overwhelming. Richa’s father, who also runs a small business that he now barely has time for, spent the night after the victory in a state of joyous shock.
“Couldn’t sleep all night. My daughter always dreamt of lifting the World Cup. I dreamt it, the whole nation longed for it. These girls made the dream into reality, and not only my daughter — I am proud of each of them,” he said.
He passionately advocated for daughters in sport, dismissing the notion of gender barriers. “More than we pushing her into sport, it was my daughter who did it on her own.”
He spoke firmly against any form of doubt or discrimination. “I will just ask all the parents — do not doubt your daughters’ capabilities. Give them wings, let them fly. They are meant for things you could never imagine. I have cried with her, celebrated with her, and felt proud that I am a daughter’s father”.
Richa’s cricketing journey began when she was barely five, following her father to the field. “She used to come along with me when I played. She’d start knocking around — so active, so full of life,” he recalled. The family’s move to Kolkata, which opened doors through the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), proved pivotal, and at just 13, she represented Bengal’s senior team.
Her selection for the T20 World Cup remains a moment etched in his memory. “I was on my way to buy her a new phone when I got a call saying she had made it… ‘No, she’s been picked for the Indian T20 World Cup team!’ Tears rolled down my cheeks. I was spellbound. I can’t describe that feeling.”
Manabendra Ghosh also spoke about the practical challenges, like ensuring her safety during solo travel, but said the family always put her dream first, even over her studies. “World Cups don’t come every year… She can always give her board exams later. That’s how we made our peace with it.”
When asked what he’s most proud of, he pointed to her on-field demeanour. “Her calmness… her composure. That’s what surprises me most.”
“I once thought I made sacrifices for her
My career, my time. But now, when I see her play for India, I realise those sacrifices were nothing. What I gained through her achievements is far greater than anything I could’ve ever given up. I didn’t sacrifice my career — this is part of my career. So maybe the career I lost was nothing compared to what I gained.”
He added that despite all the accolades, Richa remains the same cheerful girl at heart who “still loves her mother’s home-cooked fried rice.”
Richa touched a record that either Sourav Ganguly or Jhulan could not achieve. Richa has won the World Cup in cricket for the first time as a Bengali. She has been keeping wickets for the Indian team for several years. She consistently scored runs and the bigger the stage the greater is her contribution. The girl from Bengal has truly captured the glory of the World Cup.
Like the rest of the country, her father stayed up all night. After winning the World Cup in the middle of the night her father could not close his eyes until the morning. The whole country was overflowing with joy.
Not many people know that Richa used to be a fast bowler initially. She was also the opener. At some stage, Shivshankar Pal made Richa bat in the middle order. Former cricketer Mithu Mukherjee encouraged her to keep wickets. Although cricket education started with her father, it was Mithu – a cricket coach who made a difference. Manabendra said, “I have already said that one person did not make Richa. Many people contributed. She had a competitive frame of mind. The Cricket Association of Bengal, Mithudi and Jhulon helped her become a fighting cricketer.”
The Siliguri girl made history, tying with West Indies star Deandra Dottin for most sixes in a single edition of the ICC Women’s World Cup. Now, Richa is levelled with Dottin and South Africa’s Lizelle Lee (12) for joint-most sixes in a women’s WC edition. Dottin’s 12 sixes came in the 2013 edition, while Lizelle’s 12 came in the 2017 edition.
Abhishek Dalmiya, along with Snehashis and Sourav Ganguly made significant contributions to establishing women’s cricket in Bengal on a solid foundation with better infrastructure. Another person who took special initiatives to bring in talents from all over Bengal was Biswaroop Ghosh. He was given the responsibility of picking up talented women cricketers from remote districts. This is how little Richa had joined the special training camps organized in Kalyani from North Bengal.
Reminiscing about all those days, Mithu of CAB said, “Richa was very young then. She had never stayed away so far from home. She would cry when she couldn’t see her parents. She was interested in wicket keeping. She was encouraged to keep wickets. One thing, talent is not enough. You have to nurture that talent. Richa did that. Today, Richa is a proud member of the world champion team. The grooming started under me but Richa did the rest herself.”
Women’s cricket started in Bengal 52 years ago in 1973. “At that time, it was unimaginable to get the facilities like today. Even during practice, there were not enough balls available. There was no money. Now the situation has changed. The number of support staff in the World Cup-winning Indian team is amazing. The result of working tirelessly to bring women’s cricket to the fore is today’s world victory,” said Mithu Mukherjee.
Mithu further said, “Jhulan and her contemporary cricketers are the product of that infrastructure. Jhulon and others also worked hard. They had to go through many problems. They also had to go through poverty. So when Harmanjyot gives credit to Jhulon and to the other former cricketers, it makes me feel satisfied.”
Mithu also spoke about the contribution Richa’s father Manabendra Ghosh had in bringing Richa up. He has always been busy and positive in making his daughter a cricketer. He has been by her side, always. The daughter and father worked together to make a dream come true. Richa’s father replied, “I have done my father’s duty.”
