Siliguri, November 04 (Siliguri Chronicle) – Siliguri’s own Richa Ghosh has emerged as the pride of north Bengal after her standout performance in Team India’s historic win at the ICC Women’s World Cup final.
India defeated South Africa by 52 runs at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai to claim their first-ever World Cup title, with Richa making history as the only Bengali — male or female — to be part of a World Cup–winning Indian cricket team.
As Team India lifted the trophy shortly after midnight on Monday, cricket fans in Siliguri took to the streets in celebration, bursting crackers and cheering after watching the victory on a giant screen at Baghajatin Park.
Plans are already underway for a grand homecoming and civic reception to welcome the 22-year-old wicketkeeper-batter.
“I spoke with Richa and her father, Manabendra Ghosh, early this morning. They plan to return to Siliguri soon before heading to Delhi. We are in constant touch with them. Once she lands at Bagdogra airport, we will organise a grand reception. Later, a civic felicitation will be held at Dinabandhu Mancha,” said Siliguri mayor Gautam Deb on Monday.
The mayor, who joined cricket fans at Baghajatin Park to watch the live screening of the final, praised Richa for her composure and skill under pressure.
“She was outstanding throughout the world cup tournament — both with the gloves and the bat. Her reverse sweep in the final was perhaps the shot of the match. After (Siliguri’s) Wriddhiman Saha, who was overshadowed by M.S. Dhoni for much of his career, Richa has now firmly established herself as an indispensable wicketkeeper-batter for India,” Deb remarked.
Richa’s parents, Manabendra and Swapna Ghosh, are currently in Mumbai.
Contacted over the phone, the proud father told The Telegraph from Mumbai: “We could not sleep throughout the night. Something magical happened that words can hardly describe.”
Still overwhelmed by his daughter’s role in India’s World Cup triumph, Ghosh — a former local league cricketer in Siliguri — recalled how Richa’s journey began when she was just seven or eight years old.
He used to take her to the Baghajatin Athletics Club’s cricket coaching centre, where she was the only girl training among all the boys.
“I had noticed that since Richa’s childhood, she used to compete with boys and never feared facing fast bowling. That is probably where her foundation and toughness were built,” Ghosh recounted with pride.
After returning to their hotel on Monday morning, they had hoped to get some rest, but there was little chance of that, Ghosh said with a smile.
“The phone kept ringing all day. We know everyone wants to share this joy with us, and we didn’t want to disappoint anyone, so we took the calls,” Ghosh said, laughing.
As for what comes next, Ghosh said their plans were still uncertain.
“We don’t yet know when we’ll return to Siliguri — maybe Tuesday or the day after, as we might have to go to Delhi first. Once all the official engagements are over, we’ll definitely come back home with Richa,” he added.
Richa was earlier part of the Indian under-19 women’s team that won the inaugural ICC Under-19 Women’s World Cup in January 2023.
To celebrate India’s latest triumph, the Siliguri Mahakuma Krira Parishad (SMKP) — the city’s sub-divisional sports body — organised a celebration event at Kanchenjungha Stadium.
Jayanta Bhowmik, the childhood coach of former India wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, praised Richa for her crucial contribution in the final.
“She was excellent with the bat (in the final on Sunday) during her brief but crucial knock. Though she should have been promoted in the batting order, those few runs made all the difference. She is now an inspiration for every budding cricketer,” he said.
Bibek Sarkar, Richa’s first coach at Baghajatin Athletics Club, credited her unwavering dedication for her success.
“She was the only girl when she joined our coaching centre. Her sincerity and discipline set her apart. Richa’s journey has now become an example for every sports enthusiast in Siliguri,” Sarkar said.
For kids, “Richa didi” is the new icon. “I want to play aggressive shots like Richa didi. Since the final, I’m trying to get Indian jerseys of Richa didi and (captain) Harmanpreet Kaur,” said Aviraj Mallick, a Class VI student and budding cricketer from Raiganj District Sports Association’s coaching centre.
