Richa Ghosh’s 94 rescues India after top-order collapse against South Africa in Women’s World Cup
Richa Ghosh continued her blistering run in the Women’s World Cup with a stunning 94-run knock that pulled India out of a dire position against South Africa.
Coming in after a middle-order collapse left India reeling at 102 for six, Ghosh’s aggressive yet composed innings turned the match around, ensuring India posted a fighting total of 251 at the ACA-VDCA Stadium.
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The early stages looked promising for India after openers Pratika Rawal (37) and Smriti Mandhana (23) put on a brisk 55-run stand in just over ten overs. However, Mandhana’s dismissal to left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba triggered a collapse. Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and captain Harmanpreet Kaur all fell cheaply, with South Africa’s spinners exploiting the turning track expertly.
At 102 for six, India appeared destined for another batting failure before Ghosh launched a remarkable counterattack. She found brief support from Amanjot Kaur (13) before building a match-turning 88-run partnership with Sneh Rana (33). Her 77-ball innings featured 11 boundaries and four towering sixes, blending smart placement with powerful hitting.
Ghosh’s acceleration in the final overs was particularly striking. After reaching her fifty in 53 balls, she plundered 44 runs off her next 24 deliveries, punishing any loose bowling. Dropped twice — first on 76 and again on 84 — she made South Africa pay dearly, taking India from despair to control.
Falling in the final over for 94, Ghosh narrowly missed a maiden World Cup century and the record for the first Indian wicketkeeper to achieve the feat. Nevertheless, her innings set new benchmarks — becoming the highest score by a number-eight batter in women’s ODI history and propelling her past 1,000 career runs at a strike rate above 100.
India’s innings unfolded in three distinct phases: a dominant start, a collapse in the middle, and Ghosh’s explosive recovery that reignited their campaign. Her knock reaffirmed her reputation as one of the most dynamic and reliable finishers in modern women’s cricket — a player capable of transforming games single-handedly.
Published: 09 Oct 2025, 08:54 pm IST
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