Inaugural Under-19 T20 World Cup-winner and India’s trump card in ongoing T20 World Cup, Richa Ghosh bagged a massive contract in Women Premier League (WPL) auction. Franchise engaged in a bidding war for Richa who was eventually roped in by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for a whopping Rs 1.9 crore. The 19-year-old told broadcasters that she doesn't want her father to work anymore. On the other hand, her father wants her to buy a flat in Kolkata near Eden Gardens with WPL money.
“I can’t describe my feelings with words. There’s too many emotions inside my mind right now. That kid has suffered a lot, right from a very young age and I somehow feel responsible for it also,” Manabendra Ghosh told The Indian Express.
“We will not leave Siliguri, but now with the money, I would get her a flat in Kolkata so that she could stay there and practice,” he added.
He also recalled the early struggle days when even buying a bat for the hard-hitter was a daunting task.
“In 2013, I took out a loan to get her a bat before her U-19 trials. She couldn’t make it that year but a year later at the age of 12, she made her U-19 debut. From there on, she never looked back and played for the U-23 side the same season. A year later at the age of 13, she played for the senior Bengal team,” said Manabendra.
The wicketkeeper-batter who made her T20I as concussion substitute in T20 World Cup 2020 in front of a 88 thousand-plus crowd at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), has made a name for herself as a big hitter. In India’s campaign opener at the ongoing T20 World Cup in South Africa, Richa played a match-winning cameo of unbeaten 20-ball 31 against arch-rivals in successful run chase of 150.
So far, the Siliguri-born batter has had a terrific T20I record. She has scored 458 runs from 26 innings at an average of 24.10. Now, she will play under the captaincy of Smriti Mandhana in WPL.
