India wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh credits experienced teammates Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana for helping her regain form ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026. After starring against Pakistan, Ghosh is focused on maintaining momentum as India prepare to face the Netherlands in a crucial tournament clash.
Indian wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh has credited the guidance and encouragement of senior teammates Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana for helping her regain confidence and form ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The 22-year-old batter played a crucial role in India’s emphatic 64-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in their tournament opener, smashing an unbeaten 34 off just 17 balls. The explosive innings came shortly after her impressive 68-run knock in a warm-up match against England in Cardiff, signaling a strong return to form at a crucial stage of the global event.
Richa’s recent performances are particularly significant given the difficult period she endured before the tournament. The young batter had managed only 18 runs across four innings leading into the World Cup, leading to concerns about her form. However, she remained confident in her abilities and trusted her preparation despite the lack of runs.
Speaking about her struggles and subsequent comeback, Richa said she never doubted her capabilities and instead focused on improving her game through training and maintaining a positive mindset.
“At that time, I just stayed focused on my game because, although I was not getting the runs, I knew what I could do. I continued working on my drills and remained focused. Sometimes you are batting well but the runs do not come, and that is part of cricket,” she said.
The talented batter revealed that conversations with captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana played a major role in helping her overcome the difficult phase. According to Richa, the experienced players advised her to stay calm, trust her natural game and avoid putting unnecessary pressure on herself.
“I spoke to Hari (Harmanpreet Kaur) and all the seniors, including Smriti. They told me not to worry, to keep playing my game and stay focused. Their advice really helped me,” she added.
India’s convincing victory over Pakistan has provided a perfect start to their campaign as the team seeks to win its first-ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title. With confidence high in the camp, attention has now shifted to Wednesday’s encounter against the Netherlands at Headingley in Leeds.
Despite the Netherlands being newcomers to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup stage, Richa stressed that India would not underestimate their opponents. The Dutch side impressed many observers in their opening match against Bangladesh, narrowly missing out on what would have been a historic first World Cup victory.
Richa acknowledged the progress made by the Netherlands in recent years and highlighted the quality within their squad.
“I saw them before the World Cup. They have good bowlers and are playing really well. Every team here deserves to be at this level. They have earned their place in the tournament, and we are not taking any team lightly. We are looking forward to the match,” she said.
The Netherlands have emerged as one of the most improved teams in women’s cricket, and their performances have earned respect from established cricketing nations. Their head coach, Neil MacRae, praised India’s rapid growth in women’s cricket and described the Indian team as an inspiration for emerging cricket nations.
According to MacRae, the development of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) has significantly contributed to India’s rise on the international stage. He noted that the professional league has helped improve player standards and created opportunities for young cricketers to gain valuable experience.
“The rise of Indian women’s cricket has been an inspiration for everybody, especially over the last few years. With four years of the WPL and winning their first 50-over World Cup last year, you can clearly see the progression. The WPL experience has taken the team to a completely different level,” MacRae said.
The Dutch coach also expressed pride in how his players handled the pressure of their first-ever T20 World Cup appearance. While acknowledging the emotional significance of the occasion, he said the team gained valuable experience from the opening match and would be better prepared for the challenge against India.
“It is a privilege for us to play against a team of India’s stature. The players handled the pressure of the first game very well. Nothing truly prepares you for a World Cup debut except experiencing it firsthand. Now that they have gone through it, they are in a much better position to play their best cricket,” he stated.
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As India continue their quest for a maiden ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title, the return to form of Richa Ghosh provides a significant boost to the batting lineup. With senior players backing her and confidence restored, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batter could play a pivotal role in India’s campaign as they look to build on their winning start and strengthen their position in the tournament with another victory against the Netherlands.
