India’s long search for a power-packed middle-order batter ended when Richa Ghosh broke into the circuit in early 2020. Hailing from the hillside town of Siliguri, Ghosh made a name for herself in the Women’s Challenger Trophy. Quickly thrust upwards and having the backing and approval of India stalwart Jhulan Goswami, the Bengal wicket-keeper batter was named in India’s squad for the 2020 Women’s World T20 aged just 16. Possessing the ability to clear the ropes and find boundaries at ease and will - an uncommon and highly sought after skill in the Indian circuit, Gosh quickly established herself as India’s go-to in crisis situations or when they needed quick runs.

Gosh quickly became the wicket-keeper of choice for India, especially in the limited overs formats after pipping Yastika Bhatia. Sometimes criticized for her fitness and running between the wickets, Gosh always made up for it with her boundary-hitting prowess. She was a part of India’s squad for the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup and the following 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup. In late 2024, Gosh equalled the records of Phoebe Litchfield and Sophie Devine for the fastest fifty in WT20Is. Gosh achieved the feat by getting to fifty off just 18 balls in the third T20I between India and the West Indies.

Gosh’s ball-striking abilities also landed her a WBBL contract with the Hobart Hurricanes in 2021-22 and her stocks grew further when she was signed for a whopping 1.90 Cr by the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the inaugural edition of the WPL. She went on to play a crucial role in RCB’s title-winning 2024 WPL campaign.

By Anurag Hegde