Richa Ghosh delivered a performance for the ages in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, coming within a whisker of etching her name in the record books with a breathtaking 94-run knock against South Africa. Her explosive innings not only rescued India from the brink of collapse but also catapulted her past a significant personal milestone.
Table of Contents
- The Crisis and The Comeback
- Richa Ghosh’s 94: A Masterclass in Resilience
- More Than Just Runs: A Historic Milestone
- What This Means for India in the World Cup
- Sources
The Crisis and The Comeback
India’s innings against South Africa was on the verge of a complete meltdown. After a promising start, the top order crumbled spectacularly, leaving the team reeling at a precarious 102/6. The pressure was immense, and the hopes of posting a competitive total were fading fast .
Richa Ghosh’s 94: A Masterclass in Resilience
Enter Richa Ghosh. The 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, known for her fearless approach, walked in at number 8 and played the innings of her life. In a display of remarkable composure and clean hitting, she smashed 94 runs off just 77 balls, a knock laced with 11 boundaries and four towering sixes .
Her counter-attacking brilliance completely shifted the momentum. She forged crucial partnerships, most notably with Sneh Rana, to guide India to a respectable total of 251/8 in their 50 overs . Ghosh’s innings was the definition of a game-changing performance, single-handedly dragging her team back into the contest.
Key Stats from Ghosh’s Knock
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Runs | 94 |
| Balls Faced | 77 |
| Strike Rate | 122.07 |
| Boundaries | 11 |
| Sixes | 4 |
More Than Just Runs: A Historic Milestone
This wasn’t just about saving the innings; it was a landmark moment in Ghosh’s career. Her 94-run effort pushed her past the 1,000-run mark in Women’s One Day Internationals (WODIs) . She became the 12th Indian woman to achieve this feat, and she did it in style, reaching the milestone in her 46th match .
Reports even suggest she is the fastest Indian woman to reach 1,000 ODI runs, having done so in just 1,010 balls . This incredible knock has firmly established her as one of the most vital and explosive players in the Indian middle order.
What This Means for India in the World Cup
For a team that has sometimes struggled for consistency in the middle overs, Ghosh’s emergence as a reliable and explosive finisher is a massive boost. Her ability to thrive under pressure, as seen in this match, provides India with a potent weapon in their quest for World Cup glory .
While her dismissal just six runs short of a well-deserved century was a heartbreak for fans , the sheer impact of her innings cannot be overstated. It showcased the depth and fighting spirit of the Indian squad, led by Harmanpreet Kaur .