What Does Richa Ghosh Aim for After Being Promoted to No. 3?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Richa Ghosh's focus on providing a good finish for her team is commendable.
- Smriti Mandhana's record-setting partnership highlights the strength of the Indian batting lineup.
- The team's performance demonstrates their growth after the World Cup.
- Fielding continues to be an area of improvement for the Indian women's team.
- Public recognition for women cricketers is on the rise, enhancing the sport's visibility.
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 29 (NationPress) India's wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh shared insights into her elevation in the batting order by head coach Amol Muzumdar during the recent T20I against Sri Lanka. She expressed that her objective, regardless of her batting position, is to 'score runs and ensure a strong finish for the team.'
On Sunday, Smriti Mandhana shone brightly, setting a world record in Thiruvananthapuram as India triumphed over Sri Lanka by 30 runs in the fourth T20I, taking a 4-0 lead in the five-match series. Both Mandhana and Shafali Verma showcased aggressive performances, helping the hosts achieve a formidable total of 221 for 2 in their allotted 20 overs after being invited to bat first.
This pair established a record partnership of 162 runs for any wicket in Women's T20Is for India. Mandhana scored 80 runs off 48 balls, while Verma contributed 79 runs off 46 balls. Furthermore, Mandhana surpassed Mithali Raj to become the fastest player to reach 10,000 international runs in terms of innings. In their chase of 222 runs, Sri Lanka put up a commendable fight but only managed 191 for 6, despite a noteworthy half-century from their captain, Chamari Athapaththu.
In the post-match press conference, Richa commented on the team's fielding, stating, 'We’re actively working on our fielding. Today, we managed to stop the ball well and made some excellent catches. Everyone has off days, and occasionally, catches are missed. We've been putting in considerable effort to improve our fielding.'
She further elaborated, 'Whenever I'm given the opportunity and sent up the order, my goal is to score runs and deliver a strong finish for the team. The wicket was favorable for batting, and the ball was coming onto the bat nicely. While slower deliveries held up a bit, overall, conditions were good for batting. Our shot selection was crucial, and we executed it effectively to accumulate runs.'
Discussing the impact of their World Cup victory on the players' lives, Richa remarked, 'Life has indeed changed post-World Cup victory. There's a sense of joy in the air, and we receive warm welcomes from the public whenever we step out. More people now recognize names like Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, and Shafali Verma. This heightened recognition is a fantastic outcome of our World Cup success. The confidence gained from winning the World Cup carries over into future series, and it’s evident in everyone’s demeanor on the team.'