Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur praised wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh and suggested she could be an option for the opening role after her impressive performance against Pakistan in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 on June 14. Richa scored 34 runs from just 17 balls, hitting five fours and a six, as India achieved a solid 64-run win at Edgbaston in Birmingham.
Batting at No. 6, Richa energized India’s innings with her attacking play, shifting the momentum in her team’s favor. Harmanpreet expressed her wish to see Richa bat higher up the order but noted that Richa has an important role in the middle order and is making a significant impact there.
“If it’s in my hand, I would love to send her on the first ball. But I think she has some role to play and she’s doing really well and really happy the way she played today,” Harmanpreet said in a statement.
Richa’s performance against Pakistan was critical, as she changed the game with her powerful hitting in the middle and late overs. She grew more confident as her innings progressed, successfully taking on both spinners and seamers.
Facing Tasmia Rubab, she displayed various shots, including a strong pull, a thick edge over backward point, and a six over long-on, which boosted India’s scoring rate. Richa kept hitting boundaries through cover and mid-wicket, forcing Pakistan’s bowlers to adopt a defensive approach.
Even when Nashra Sandhu tried to slow down the runs with variations, Richa stayed composed. She effectively rotated the strike, chose her moments to attack, and took advantage of every loose delivery. In the final stages, she added to her team’s momentum with a mix of aggressive shots and smart gameplay, including a swept boundary and well-timed runs under pressure.