"We’ll stand here and say, ‘Richa Ghosh -India captain..."- Sourav Ganguly predicts next captain of Indian women's team

Sourav Ganguly heaped praise on Richa Ghosh during the felicitation ceremony organised by the CAB.

Former Indian Cricket Team captain and current Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly has made a bold prediction for Richa Ghosh, saying that he hopes she will captain India Women in future. Ghosh, who won ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 with India Women, was felicitated by the CAB and the West Bengal Government during a ceremony on November 8 (Saturday).

At the ceremony, the wicket-keeper batter was conferred with Banga Bhushan award. She was also appointed Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and presented with a gold chain by the state government.

CAB gifted a gold-plated bat and ball to the 22-year-old player, and rewarded her Rs. 34 lakhs – one lakh for every run she scored in ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 final. Ghosh played a blistering knock of 34 runs off 24 balls in the final, helping the team to score crucial runs in the end.

Sourav Ganguly hopes Richa Ghosh will captain India Women in future

Speaking at the felicitation ceremony, Ganguly said that he would like to see Ghosh captaining India Women one day like former pacer Jhulan Goswami. He also feels that Ghosh gave an equal contribution like Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur while batting in the lower order during ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.

“Your career has just begun. Women’s cricket will grow massively in the next four to six years, and there will be more opportunities. 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 have time on your side. All blessings and heartiest congratulations,” he said.

“The role she plays batting lower down the order is very difficult. You get fewer balls but have to score the most runs. People may remember Jemimah’s 127 not out or Harmanpreet’s 89 in the semifinals, but Richa’s strike rate of 130-plus made the difference. What she has done so simply is equal in value to Smriti or Harman,” Ganguly added.

At a strike rate of 133.52, Ghosh scored 235 runs in eight innings in ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. The right-handed batter hammered a 94-run knock in the league stage clash against South Africa Women in a losing cause, which was her highest score in the tournament.

Meanwhile, India Women defeated South Africa Women by 52 runs in the final of ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. After piling up 298/7 in the first innings, the Harmanpreet Kaur & Co. dismissed South Africa Women for 246 runs.

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