Richa Ghosh, one of the standout players in India’s 2025 Women’s World Cup victory, is set to receive rare recognition. The West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, announced that a new stadium in Siliguri, Richa’s hometown, will be named after her.
“The ‘Richa Cricket Stadium’ will be built on a 27-acre plot at the Chandmani Tea Estate. This is a way to honour Richa, one of Bengal’s shining sports talents, and also encourage more young cricketers from North Bengal,” Banerjee said, adding that the project will be undertaken by the state government. The 22-year-old wicketkeeper-batter played a crucial role in India’s title win, scoring 235 runs at an average of 39.16 across eight matches, with several match-winning cameos.
Celebrations And Recognitions
Richa’s contributions have been widely celebrated in Bengal. The state government honoured her with the ‘Banga Bhushan’ award, appointed her as Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), and gifted her a gold chain. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) also rewarded her with ₹34 lakh — ₹1 lakh for every run she scored in the final. Former Indian captain and CAB chief Sourav Ganguly, who once came close to winning the World Cup in 2003, praised her achievements.
“The World Cup triumph is a special, special win, and only Richa can tell us what that feels like,” said Ganguly. He further expressed confidence in her leadership potential: “Your career has just begun. Women’s cricket will grow massively in the next four to six years… I hope you make the most of them and one day, like Jhulan, we’ll stand here and say: ‘Richa – India captain.’ You’re just 22… You’ve got time. All blessings and heartiest congratulations.”
A Journey Rooted In Siliguri
In the World Cup final against South Africa, Richa made a vital 34 off 24 balls, helping India post 298 for 7 before bowling out the opponents for 246. Ganguly lauded her for excelling under pressure, stating, “The role she plays batting lower down the order is very difficult… What she’s done so simply is equal in value to Smriti or Harman.”
Former India pacer Jhulan Goswami, who discovered Richa during the 2013 district trials in Siliguri, recalled, “In 2013, we were struggling… During the under-15 trials in Siliguri, I spotted Richa… Finally, tor haath diye amader World Cup ta aslo – onek onek dhonnobad.” Richa, humbled by the love, said, “It feels like a dream… It’s like living a dream.” She added, “They always praise my sixes, so I try for more big hits… It’s about choosing the right ball.”
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