Richa Ghosh made news at the Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction for Indian wicketkeepers. The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) signed the wicketkeeper-batter, who is known for her power-hitting, for 1.90 crores. The offer comes the day after Richa was instrumental in India defeating Pakistan by seven wickets in the Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa. Richa hit an undefeated 31 off 20 balls while trying to reach the 150-point mark, including five boundaries.
Additionally, Delhi and Bangalore engaged in a bidding war over her sale. Delhi and Bangalore fought till her value reached 1.70 crores after being listed with a base price of 50 lacks before things settled down a little. Mallika Sagar conducted two additional rounds of bidding before concluding the sale with RCB leading at ₹1.90 crores. “We have a lot of expectations from her, but I’m more excited about her sharing the RCB dressing room with some of the biggest names, which some are her good friends,” a proud Manabendra Ghosh, Richa’s father, told hindustantimes.com over the phone. He is optimistic that WPL will “revolutionize women’s cricket”.
Asked about her clinical show in the clash against Pakistan on Sunday, the senior Ghosh noted: “She has got her rhythm back. The World Cup is a prior must and we as Indians demand the World Cup.” Richa was overwhelmed by the response she received during the intense auction session, crediting her parents behind her success in the sport. “All my parents wanted me to achieve was to play for India. I want to captain my team and win a major trophy for India. I want to buy a flat in Kolkata. I want my mother and father to settle down there. I want them to enjoy their life now. They have struggled a lot in their life, and they have worked hard a lot for me. Even now, my father does umpire. After the auction, I hope he doesn’t have to work so hard,” the wicketkeeper told the official broadcaster after bagging her new RCB contract.