New Delhi: In a cricketing environment that values traditional techniques and adherence to established norms, Richa Ghosh distinguishes herself. The 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batter from Bengal embodies a sense of fearlessness in Indian women’s cricket—a distinctive trait that has positioned her as one of the most thrilling prospects in the sport today.

Typically, the journey for an Indian female batter is characterized by discipline, consistency, and adherence to conventional strategies. While India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur and opener Shafali Verma have pushed these boundaries with their aggressive styles, few exhibit the same level of risk-taking as Ghosh.

However, being part of a structured team while also striving to stand out can create a dilemma—should she heed the voice urging her to remain composed and follow the conventional approach, or should she trust her instincts? Ghosh is resolute in her decision.

“I trust my instincts,” she stated in an interview. “When I adhere to my instincts and pursue what I believe I should hit, it greatly benefits me. Conversely, if I become overly focused on merely surviving at the crease, I start to doubt myself. A batter can easily become stagnant in that mindset. I tend to get stuck then. Therefore, I follow my heart.”

Ghosh possesses the ability to strike the ball considerable distances, and her fluid playing style is yielding positive results. She has emerged as one of the leading Indian batters in the current Women’s Premier League, despite her team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, sitting at the bottom of the standings. With 194 runs in seven matches leading up to Tuesday’s final encounter against the Mumbai Indians, Ghosh has been a standout performer in RCB’s struggling season.

Two standout performances vouch for that. In the opening game against Gujarat Giants, she smashed Ash Gardner and Co at Vadodara with a 27-ball 64 not out, completing the biggest chase in WPL after being set 202 to win. And her 33-ball 69 against UP Warriorz in Lucknow on Saturday kept the mammoth chase of 226 alive – UPW’s 225/5 is WPL’s biggest total – before RCB were 213 all out.

Ghosh's remarkable clarity and self-assurance are particularly noteworthy. Reflecting on a previous match where her team narrowly lost to Delhi Capitals by a single run, she stated, “Even last year, when we lost to Delhi Capitals by one run, I followed my instincts,” recalling her impressive performance of 51 runs off 29 balls that nearly secured the victory.

In the realm of T20 cricket, players like her are essential, as their skills are specifically suited to the format. Ghosh maintains this strategy even in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Under the guidance of coach Amol Muzumdar, the Indian team management has positioned Ghosh in various batting roles—from opener to No. 3 and finisher. She embraces these challenges, particularly with the ODI World Cup approaching in India later this year.

“I don’t perceive it as a defined role because my batting style is adaptable to any position. I do not alter my approach based on where I bat. I play according to my judgment—what needs to be hit will be hit.”

Ghosh's power-hitting capabilities were evident from an early stage, honed by Bengal coaches Shib Shankar Paul, Jayanta Ghosh Dastidar, and Charanjit Singh. RCB batting coach RX Muralidhar has further enhanced her hitting skills, allowing her the freedom to express herself.

“I wasn’t reprimanded for attempting to hit the ball, even if I didn’t clear the field,” Ghosh remarked with a smile. “I know that when I make contact, it has the potential to go over the boundary. If it doesn’t happen on a particular day, it’s either due to luck or simply not my day. I then move forward.”

While coaches may still advise her to adopt a more patient approach in domestic cricket due to her experience, Ghosh feels a greater sense of ease within the RCB environment, surrounded by international players.

Ghosh has drawn inspiration for her game from various batters, notably Australian icons Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry. She has also incorporated the lofted shot from Harmanpreet's skill set, while MS Dhoni's technique for hitting sixes has similarly impacted her approach.

"I pay close attention to how Perry interprets the game and the circumstances, and I learn from her," Ghosh remarked. "The development of players like Harmanpreet and Smriti Mandhana, who is also the RCB captain, has shown me how to create pivotal moments in a match.

"Nonetheless, I aspire to cultivate a unique identity, and I possess certain shots that are distinctly mine," Ghosh continued. "However, all of that becomes secondary when I prepare for a match or step up to bat. I do not contemplate whether I will approach things differently or what others might think. My sole focus is on contributing to the team's victory."

As a skilled wicketkeeper capable of finishing games, Ghosh significantly enhances the team's performance, whether representing her country or her franchise. If she continues to excel, she has the potential to emerge as one of India's foremost match-winners across all formats.

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