New Delhi, Nov 5 (NationPress) Despite Bengal facing challenges during their latest Ranji Trophy match against Tripura, bowling coach Shib Shankar Paul found a reason to celebrate – his pupil, wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, played a pivotal role in the Indian team's victory over South Africa, securing their inaugural Women’s ODI World Cup title with a remarkable 52-run win.

"I felt incredibly proud. A student of mine has achieved World Cup glory, and that brings joy not just to me, but to all of India. It's a significant moment," Paul shared in an exclusive interview with IANS.

However, the revelation that followed highlighted Richa's extraordinary resilience: she battled through the semi-final and final with a hairline fracture in her left-hand middle finger. This injury was sustained while keeping against New Zealand during the group stage, and she missed the subsequent washed-out match against Bangladesh.

Paul was confident Richa would push through the pain, emphasizing with her, "Dard hai, sochna nahi hai (Yes, pain exists, but don't dwell on it) – 150 crore people are watching. Focus on winning." He knew her toughness would shine through, despite her suffering.

Richa concluded the tournament with an impressive 235 runs over eight innings, boasting a strike rate of 133.52, including an astounding 12 sixes – the highest for any Indian batter in a single Women’s World Cup edition. Additionally, she recorded a strike rate of 165.17 in the final overs, and her blistering 94 against South Africa in Visakhapatnam stands as the highest score by a number eight batter in Women’s ODIs.

"I admired her performances throughout the World Cup. While it would have been ideal to see a century from her or a few more fifties, she contributed significantly, especially given the team's challenging situations," Paul noted.

Richa's path from Siliguri to Kolkata – nearly 200 kilometers – was fraught with difficulties. Opportunities were scarce in her hometown, necessitating her participation in boys' teams due to a lack of separate training facilities. Stories like hers are all too common in women's cricket, particularly in peripheral areas.

Her father, Manabendra, made significant sacrifices to support her cricketing dreams, traveling to the city for training. In Siliguri, he would practice with her on a concrete pitch, facing criticism from neighbors questioning her choice of sport.

“Having family support is crucial. Relocating to Kolkata from Siliguri is no small feat. I understand the struggles of settling in a new place, whether in a hotel or an ashram for extended periods. It's truly commendable,” Paul remarked.

“At that time, girls rarely featured in batting and bowling at the academy. His father consistently made the journey to bring her to Kolkata for matches. I commend him; Richa’s talents are a testament to his commitment.”

“Though I coached Richa since she was 13, it was during Bengal's match against Delhi in the 2019 domestic T20 series that I recognized her potential for international play. In that game, with Bengal struggling at 35 runs in 10 overs, Richa stepped in and turned the tide, scoring 67 runs and propelling us past 150. From that moment, her trajectory changed for the better,” he reminisced with a smile.

“She was just 15, often playing as an opener and occasionally bowling or keeping wickets. We fondly referred to her as a 'storage' player, utilized according to need,” he laughed.

Following that match, Paul advised Richa to focus solely on wicketkeeping. As a devoted fan of MS Dhoni, she aspired to become a finisher like him. Initially, Richa was raw, powerful but lacking control and tactical awareness. Over time, she has transformed.

"I positioned her at number five, instructing her to mimic Dhoni's finishing prowess. At that time, though she had talent, she lacked strategic depth. Now, with experience, she's learned to manage game situations effectively," Paul stated.

“Earlier, she would hit the ball hard without precision. Now, her game has matured; she reads the situation and the bowlers expertly. Her growth has been remarkable, and I’ve played a role in that,” Paul explained.

Having journeyed from being a naive teenager in Kolkata to winning the U19 T20 World Cup in 2023, Richa has now added the senior ODI World Cup to her accolades. The next challenge is the T20 World Cup in England next year.

After the final, Paul’s message to Richa was unequivocal: "You must continue to win; this is merely the start. You began with the U19 World Cup victory, and now you've achieved the senior World Cup. More triumphs await you."

Richa shares a close bond with Paul's children, regularly communicating with them via WhatsApp post-matches, and looks forward to a promised celebration upon her return to Kolkata. "She mentioned a party with them when she visits. I'm excited for that!" Paul expressed joyfully.

Paul believes Richa's World Cup success will significantly influence women's cricket in Bengal. "Historically, people came to watch Jhulan Goswami. Now, they will flock to see Richa. Numerous women's teams are emerging in Kolkata, akin to the historic men's league, and clubs are enhancing their women's programs. It's a tremendous leap forward, with 20-25 teams now part of the CAB setup. The focus on women’s cricket has intensified across every district, and many girls will be inspired by Richa, as well as by Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Harmanpreet Kaur.

Paul has witnessed a cultural shift as well. Recently, during a mall visit, he noticed something that brought him happiness. "I observed that fewer young fans were wearing Virat Kohli jerseys – instead, they sported jerseys of Richa, Jemi, and Smriti. This signifies a change, and I find it heartening; both teams are now regarded on equal footing."

Attendance at women's matches has surged dramatically, a change that has delighted Paul. "I coached the Bengal women's team for two years. I never anticipated such a massive turnout for women's games, where crowds once gathered for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Now, they come to watch Richa, Smriti, and Jemi," he concluded.