%2Fsportzpoint%2Fmedia_files%2Fc945e326-989b-4b6d-a294-d30992476cfc.webp&w=3840&q=75)
Shib Shankar Paul, the former Bengal first-class cricketer and the current coach of the Bengal Senior Men's team, feels Richa Ghosh, the Indian wicket-keeper batter, who smashed a record-breaking 94 off 77 balls against South Africa in the ICC Women's World Cup 2025, should bat higher up the order. In an exclusive interview with Sportz Point, the former fast bowler shared thoughts on his student's innings.
Richa's record-breaking innings
During the high-voltage India Women vs South Africa Women clash, Richa came to the crease when India were struggling at 102/6. Richa, who normally bats in the middle order, has been pushed down to number 8 during the marquee event in India and Sri Lanka.
Since there was time left in the inning, the 22-year-old girl from Siliguri, West Bengal, could take a bit of time at the beginning. However, she did not hold long before going after the Proteas Women's bowling line-up, and launching some of the biggest sixes of the tournament so far.
Playing her maiden Women's World Cup, Richa looked confident and started smashing as the innings grew. She could have become the first woman to score a Women's World Cup ton batting at No. 8 if the low full toss from Nadine de Klerk had been 4 inches higher. Nevertheless, Richa had to be satisfied with a solid 94 off 77 balls, which helped India get to 251 in the first inning.
"She is not 16 anymore"
When Sportz Point reached out to Shib Shankar Paul, the former fast bowler, who has coached Richa since he was 13 and was even part of the Bengal Women's teams, and asked about his reactions, Paul replied, "I am not a bit surprised. Along with the big shots, you can now expect maturity from Richa. She is not 16 anymore."
It was Richa's game awareness that took India's total over 250 in Vizag. Be it denying singles in the last ball of the penultimate over or manoeuvring the field with smartness, Richa showed maturity and skill throughout her entire inning. But one thing that caught Paul's attention was her ability to hit straight.
"We all know she can clear deep mid-wicket or hit through the offside. But I was very happy to see how she has hit straight tonight. It has made her a more effective batter," Paul expressed.
"She knew what the demands of a World Cup were"
Though Shib Shankar Paul was happy to see the innings from Richa, he knew she would deliver like this at the biggest stages of cricket.
"She has been preparing hard for moments like these. She is ready. I feel she is very near her best. And, she is improving day by day," Paul added.
"She used to come to the academy and stay there the whole day to be stronger, get fitter and better. So, it is not surprising to see her hitting those big sixes. She knew what the demands of a home World Cup were."
๐๐น๐๐๐ฐ๐ต ๐ฅ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ ๐๐ต๐ผ๐๐ต - ๐ช๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ ๐๐ป๐ผ๐ฐ๐ธ! ๐ ๐
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 9, 2025
9โฃ4โฃ Runs
7โฃ7โฃ Balls
1โฃ1โฃ Fours
4โฃ Sixes
Drop your reaction in the comments below ๐ฝ on that stunning innings! ๐ฅ
Updates โถ๏ธ https://t.co/G5LkyPuC6v#TeamIndia | #WomenInBlue | #CWC25 | #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/xLdVOEX8In
"Would love to see her bat up the order"
Indian middle-order batters have failed to put their hands up and contribute so far in the ICC Women's World Cup. With Amanjot Kaur at seven and Deepti Sharma at six, Richa had to bat as low as No.8 with Sneh Rana coming at No. 9.
Shib Shankar Paul feels that since Richa has now built that patience within herself and can play longer innings, sending her up the order might put the opponents in trouble. Moreover, she will have more balls to get her eye in, too.
"Yeah, I know the middle order is packed up. But Richa now has the patience as well. I would love to see her bat up the order - at least five or six," the former fast bowler shared.
Read Also: Bengal Cricket: 7 U-19 cricketers from Bengal who can play for India in future
India to face Australia and England next
Despite Richa's valiant effort, India lost against South Africa by three wickets as a special inning from Nadine de Klerk helped the Proteas Women go over the line.
India, who are currently at No.3 in the points table, will face defending champions Australia on 12 October and England on 19 October.
