Visakhapatnam: When India were down 102 for 6 in 26 overs, not many people would have thought they could get more than 200. But Richa Ghosh, who batted eighth, changed the game with a brilliant show of calmness and crisp hitting. She led India to 251 runs in 49.5 overs against South Africa in their Women’s World Cup 2025 match on Thursday.
The 22-year-old wicketkeeper-batter hit 94 runs off 77 balls, with 11 fours and 4 sixes. Her sixth ODI fifty not only saved India from the brink, but it also put her name in the record books.
Knock That Breaks Records
Richa Ghosh became the first woman cricketer to score 80 or more runs in a Women’s ODI match while batting at No. 8 or lower. Chloe Tryon held the record before this one, with 74 runs against Sri Lanka in Colombo earlier this year.
Richa also became the fastest Indian woman to score 1,000 ODI runs, doing so in 1,010 balls, which is faster than famous players like Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy.
Fewest balls needed to go to 1,000 runs in women’s ODIs
917: Ash Gardner (AUS-W)
943: Nat Sciver-Brunt (ENG-W)
1,010: Richa Ghosh (IND-W)
1,011: Meg Lanning (AUS-W)
1,022: Alyssa Healy (AUS-W)
Richa’s innings also included the third-highest partnership for the 8th wicket or lower in Women’s ODIs. She and Sneh Rana (33) put together a crucial 88-run stand in just 53 balls.
India’s Early Breakdown
The ACA-VDCA Stadium pitch had real bounce and was a wonderful place to bat. It was probably the greatest pitch India has played on in this tournament. But the home team didn’t take advantage of their early chances after being put in to bat.
India got off to a fast start with openers Pratika Rawal (37) and Smriti Mandhana (23), who scored 55 runs in 10.2 overs. Rawal’s graceful strokeplay, especially his picture-perfect cover drive off Marizanne Kapp, stood out.
But Mandhana never seemed comfortable. She hit a six off Ayabonga Khaka, but then she fell to Nokululeko Mlaba, which caused a collapse that led to India losing five wickets for only 19 runs.
Harleen Deol (13), Harmanpreet Kaur (3), Jemimah Rodrigues (2), and Deepti Sharma (1) all left quickly, putting India in a tough spot at 102/6.
Richa Ghosh to the Rescue
In the middle of all the confusion, Richa Ghosh and Amanjot Kaur (13) put together a 51-run combination that helped India get back on track. Ghosh’s ability to change the pace of the innings by rotating strikes and hitting powerful strokes at the proper times changed the mood.
Richa made South Africa pay dearly when he dropped the ball twice, at 76 and 84. She got to fifty in 53 balls, then sped up quickly, hitting boundaries with ease.
Her partnership with Sneh Rana for the ninth wicket (88 off 53) pushed India above the 250-run mark, which at one point seemed impossible. Ghosh fell in the last over, but by then she had made the innings one of India’s most impressive comebacks in a long time.
Match Records That Stand Out
The highest partnerships for women in ODIs for the 8th wicket or lower:
1️⃣ 115 – RE Slater & PA Chatterji (SCO-W) versus BAN-W, Lahore, 2025
2️⃣ 106 – A King and B Mooney (AUS-W) vs. PAK-W in the 2025 WC in Colombo
3️⃣ 88 – NND Silva & OU Ranasinghe (SL-W) versus ENG-W at Hambantota, 2019
3️⃣ 88 – Richa Ghosh and Sneh Rana (IND-W) vs. SA-W in the 2025 World Cup in Vizag
What Will Happen Next
As the Women’s World Cup 2025 heats up, Richa’s heroics have not only boosted India’s spirits, but they have also sent a warning to their competitors. Her innings showed strength, determination, and temperament, which are all traits of champions.
India will rely on their bowlers to finish what Richa started—a comeback for the ages—as South Africa gets ready to chase 252.