Richa Ghosh continued her sensational form in the Women’s World Cup, playing a brilliant 94-run innings to help India post a competitive total of 251 against South Africa on Thursday. After another top-order stumble, Ghosh showcased her calm and aggressive batting to steady the innings and lead India back into contention.
The ACA-VDCA Stadium pitch, considered the best of the three decks India has batted on so far in the tournament, offered little excuse for the early collapse. Openers Pratika Rawal (37) and Smriti Mandhana (23) gave India a bright start with a 55-run partnership in just over ten overs. Rawal’s smooth strokeplay, especially a flowing cover drive off Marizanne Kapp, stood out. Mandhana, however, struggled to find rhythm, managing just one big six before falling to left-arm spinner Noku Mlaba.
India’s innings began to crumble after Harleen Deol’s dismissal at 83 for one, with five wickets tumbling for just 19 runs. Deepti Sharma , Jemimah Rodrigues , and Harmanpreet Kaur all fell cheaply, leaving India reeling at 102 for six.
It was then that Ghosh stepped up, forming a vital 51-run partnership with Amanjot Kaur (13) to push India past 150. Ghosh’s 77-ball knock, featuring 11 fours and 4 sixes, demonstrated her excellent use of the pitch and timing of her shots. Despite being dropped twice on 76 and 84, she maintained composure and gradually opened up, scoring 44 runs in just 24 balls to accelerate the innings.
Ghosh later found another ally in Sneh Rana (33), and together they added 88 runs off 53 balls for the eighth wicket, giving India a respectable total to defend. Ghosh fell in the last over, narrowly missing two major milestones. She ended just six runs short of a century and also narrowly missed becoming the first Indian women’s wicketkeeper to score a century in a World Cup.
With this innings, Ghosh has now crossed 1,000 runs in Women’s ODIs and maintained a strike rate above 100, joining the elite company of Chloe Tryon (SA) and Ashleigh Gardner (AUS). Her performance against South Africa once again highlighted her importance to the Indian team, both as a finisher and as a reliable top-order batter capable of turning games under pressure.
The ACA-VDCA Stadium pitch, considered the best of the three decks India has batted on so far in the tournament, offered little excuse for the early collapse. Openers Pratika Rawal (37) and Smriti Mandhana (23) gave India a bright start with a 55-run partnership in just over ten overs. Rawal’s smooth strokeplay, especially a flowing cover drive off Marizanne Kapp, stood out. Mandhana, however, struggled to find rhythm, managing just one big six before falling to left-arm spinner Noku Mlaba.
India’s innings began to crumble after Harleen Deol’s dismissal at 83 for one, with five wickets tumbling for just 19 runs. Deepti Sharma , Jemimah Rodrigues , and Harmanpreet Kaur all fell cheaply, leaving India reeling at 102 for six.
It was then that Ghosh stepped up, forming a vital 51-run partnership with Amanjot Kaur (13) to push India past 150. Ghosh’s 77-ball knock, featuring 11 fours and 4 sixes, demonstrated her excellent use of the pitch and timing of her shots. Despite being dropped twice on 76 and 84, she maintained composure and gradually opened up, scoring 44 runs in just 24 balls to accelerate the innings.
Ghosh later found another ally in Sneh Rana (33), and together they added 88 runs off 53 balls for the eighth wicket, giving India a respectable total to defend. Ghosh fell in the last over, narrowly missing two major milestones. She ended just six runs short of a century and also narrowly missed becoming the first Indian women’s wicketkeeper to score a century in a World Cup.
With this innings, Ghosh has now crossed 1,000 runs in Women’s ODIs and maintained a strike rate above 100, joining the elite company of Chloe Tryon (SA) and Ashleigh Gardner (AUS). Her performance against South Africa once again highlighted her importance to the Indian team, both as a finisher and as a reliable top-order batter capable of turning games under pressure.
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