By signing in or creating an account, you agree with Associated Broadcasting Company's Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
New Delhi: The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) will hand Women's World Cup star Richa Ghosh a specially crafted gold-plated bat and ball at a special felicitation ceremony at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Saturday.
Ghosh will be awarded for sensational performance at the Women's World Cup and for playing a key role in India's historic maiden world title. Richa scored 235 runs from eight innings at a brilliant strike rate of 133.52 - the highest in the tournament. She was among the team's top five run-getters and played some impactful knocks in the lower middle order.
Autographed by former India captain Sourav Ganguly and pace legend Jhulan Goswami, the bat and ball will be presented to her in recognition of her "outstanding achievements and invaluable contribution to Indian cricket".
CAB president Ganguly hailed Richa for her fearless performances.
"Richa has shown remarkable talent, composure, and fighting spirit on the world stage. Honouring her with this gold bat and ball is a small token of our recognition for her extraordinary contribution to Indian cricket. She is an inspiration for every young cricketer in Bengal and across the country,” Ganguly stated in a release.
Richa owned the No. 7 spot and more than once helped her team with late-order firepower, including a blazing 34 off 24 balls in the final against South Africa at the DY Patil Stadium, where India emerged victorious by 52 runs.
The 22-year-old Siliguri-born powerhouse hit 12 sixes in the tournament and equalled Deandra Dottin’s record for the most sixes in a Women’s World Cup edition
She is the second wicketkeeper from Siliguri to represent India after Wriddhiman Saha and has a trophy cabinet full of titles, including the Women's World Cup, U-19 World Cup, Women's Premier League title, Asian Games gold and Commonwealth Games silver.
The CAB also paid rich tribute to Richa’s journey from Siliguri to international stardom, describing it as a story of discipline, dedication, and self-belief.
Her performances could inspire a new generation of girls in Bengal to pursue their cricketing dreams.
Daughter of club-level cricketer turned umpire Manabendra Ghosh, Richa attracted attention as an eight-year-old budding cricketer.
She made her Bengal U-19 side at just 12, broke into the U-23 team the same season, and entered the senior side at 13.
In her early years, Richa opened both the batting and bowling and shared the new ball with iconic bowler Jhulan Goswami while also keeping wickets.
(With PTI Inputs)