West Bengal’s Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, has revealed plans to name a new cricket stadium in Darjeeling after Richa Ghosh, the standout player of India’s 2025 Women’s World Cup triumph. This decision, made during a ceremony honoring Richa, aims to immortalize the accomplishments of the 22-year-old cricketer from Siliguri and inspire future generations.
“Richa achieved world champion status at a young age of 22. The West Bengal government recognized her achievements, but I aspire to do more. With approximately 27 acres of land in Darjeeling, I have urged the mayor to develop a cricket stadium there. It shall be known as the Richa Cricket Stadium to commemorate her exceptional performance and serve as a source of motivation for others in the future,” expressed Mamata Banerjee.
Following India’s victory over South Africa in the Women’s World Cup final on November 2 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, Richa was warmly welcomed in her hometown of Siliguri. At a subsequent event, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), under the leadership of President Sourav Ganguly, joined the Chief Minister in honoring the talented wicketkeeper-batter. Richa was presented with a gold-plated bat and ball autographed by Ganguly and cricketing legend Jhulan Goswami.
In addition to the accolades, the West Bengal government bestowed upon Richa the prestigious Banga Bhushan award, a gold chain, and appointed her as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in recognition of her contributions to Indian cricket. Ganguly praised Richa’s consistency and composure, predicting her as a potential future captain of the Indian team.
Richa’s exceptional performance in the World Cup highlighted her prowess as a dynamic finisher and dependable wicketkeeper. Her crucial 94-run innings against South Africa during the group stage, entering at a precarious 102 for six, shifted the game in India’s favor and underscored her maturity in high-pressure situations.
If Mamata Banerjee’s proposal for the stadium materializes, it would signify a significant moment for women’s cricket in India. This would mark the first instance of a stadium in the country being named after a female cricketer, reflecting the increasing acknowledgment of women’s contributions to the sport. While cricketing legends like Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami have stands named after them at Visakhapatnam’s ACA-VDCA Stadium and Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, respectively, dedicating an entire stadium to a female cricketer would be an unprecedented honor.