Siliguri roars for local girl Richa, who helped India lift Cup
Times of India | 4 November 2025
Siliguri: The entire country has been celebrating India's victory since Sunday but the decibel level has certainly been higher in Siliguri, the north Bengal town that has seen the struggle of local girl Richa Ghosh, the only World Cup-winning Bengal player, and her journey to the World Cup final podium.
Richa began her cricketing journey at the local grounds at the tender age of 4. With no girls' team to train with, she was compelled to practise alongside boys, a challenge that shaped her fearless brand of cricket. The daughter of an umpire, Richa's natural talent was evident early on, and by the time she was 8, coaches had recognised the spark of a future star.
Richa's blistering 34 off 24 balls in a tense final against South Africa laid the foundation for India's triumph. Throughout the tournament, she smashed 12 sixes — the highest ever in the history of the
— a record that speaks volumes of her fearless approach.
Her coach, Gopal Saha of the Baghajatin Athletics Club, who first spotted her potential, recalled her early struggles: "Her father stood firmly behind her, guiding her, often sacrificing his own comfort to ensure she never missed a practice session."
Richa's dedication earned her a place in the Bengal senior team at just 14 — and in the Indian national team by 16. Today, she has made her family, Siliguri, and the entire nation proud.
On Sunday night, crowds gathered in front of Richa's home, chanting: "Richa, you are our pride." Her childhood coach Tapan Bhawal recalled: "I saw an indomitable spirit in Richa since she was a child. Every step she took was towards one dream — to play for India.
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Former Bengal women's team coach Shivshankar Pal said Richa had the power to clear the ropes with ease at a very young age. "I knew then that she would make history one day."
Bhaskar Majumdar, secretary of the Siliguri Sub-Divisional Sports Council, remarked, "Richa's achievement is not just Siliguri's pride but the pride of all north Bengal." Poppy Dalal, who coached her for an under-14 team, said her performance has been a ‘gurudakshina' to all her coaches.
Siliguri mayor Gautam Deb on Monday said Richa would be given a civic reception on her arrival at Siliguri. Speaking to TOI, former Indian football team captain Bhaichung Bhutia added: "It fills us with immense pride to see two girls — Richa Ghosh from Siliguri and Uma Chetry from Assam — being part of the World Cup–winning Indian women's teams."