At just 21 years of age, Richa Ghosh has cracked yet another significant milestone in her blossoming career. The dynamic wicket-keeper batter from Siliguri completes 1,000 career ODI runs for India, a landmark that places her in elite company.
She achieves the feat and becomes only the second Indian wicket-keeper batter after Anju Jain to cross the 1,000-run mark in One-Day Internationals, underlining her standing as the brightest young star in India’s batting lineup in the ongoing ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025.
She got to the landmark in an important game, their 3rd fixture against South Africa, led by skipper Laura Wolvaardt, on 9th October 2025, at Visakhapatnam. She came in at number 8 when India were in deep trouble at 102/6 in the 26th over of the innings, after the South African skipper, Laura Wolvaardt, won the toss and opted to bat first. She forged crucial partnerships alongside Amanjot Kaur, worth 51 for the 7th wicket, followed by another massive 88-run stand alongside Sneh Rana for the 8th wicket.
An audacious reverse sweep to the left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba that went for a boundary, marking her entry in the 1,000 runs club in the ODI format. She scored a vital match-saving knock (94 off 77 balls), skyrocketing the Indian total to 251. Her knock included 11 boundaries and four maximums.
Richa Ghosh’s journey in the ODI format began on 21st September 2021, at Mackay, against the formidable Australian side. Just 17 then, she entered the setup not only as a wicketkeeper to India’s seasoned bowling attack but also as a batter capable of changing the tempo of a game. Over the next few years, she has become a critical cog in India’s middle order.
In her 46 appearances so far, Richa has notched up 1,031 runs in 44 innings, maintaining an average of 30.32 and, importantly, scoring at a brisk strike rate of 100.58, an aspect that sets her apart in the 50-over format where the need for a power-hitter who can also rotate strike consistently is invaluable. Her record includes 7 half-centuries, each knock accentuating her flair for counter attacking innings under pressure.
Even though she has had multiple eye-catching performances, Richa Ghosh’s defining moment in ODIs came on December 30, 2023, in the 2nd ODI against Australia at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Playing in front of a packed home crowd, she crafted a gritty 96 off 117 balls, an innings filled with temperament and maturity, studded with 13 fours.
Though her gallant effort fell heartbreakingly short as India lost the thriller by just 3 runs, it was a performance that firmly established Richa as more than just a hard-hitting youngster; it showcased her ability to anchor an innings, build partnerships, and take games deep against world-class opposition.
Now, as India prepares to continue their impressive 2-match winning streak, defeating Sri Lanka by 59 runs in the tournament opener, followed by an 88-run win against Pakistan in Colombo. The ongoing fixture against South Africa is crucial to continuing the momentum in the tournament.
Richa Ghosh has not only entered the 1,000 runs club in the format, but she has also potentially pulled off a decisive rescue act and delivered a campaign-defining moment for the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side in the ongoing 13th edition of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, hosted by India and partly in Sri Lanka, from 30th September to 2nd November 2025.
Becoming the second Indian wicket-keeper batter after Anju Jain to breach the 1,000-run mark is not only a testament to her consistency but also to her evolving role in a team that is increasingly depending on her for stability and firepower in crunch situations.
The campaign in the home ODI World Cup (30th September – 2nd November 2025) has put India’s younger players in the spotlight. With stalwarts like Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma forming the backbone, performers like Richa Ghosh are delivering the much-needed balance between experience and youth.
Her ability to accelerate in the middle overs and finish strong is an X-factor that India has historically lacked in ICC tournaments. A milestone such as 1,000 ODI runs, achieved before turning 22, has signaled not just individual progress but also a glimpse of the long-term future of India’s batting.
With a historic World Cup on home soil and Richa Ghosh joining the ranks of Indian greats, the next few weeks promise to be career-defining. For the youngster from Siliguri, surpassing the four-figure mark in ODIs is more than just a statistical landmark; it is a statement of her arrival as one of India’s most pivotal match-winners in years to come.
As India eyes glory in the 2025 ODI World Cup, Richa Ghosh’s bat may well script chapters that will be remembered for generations.
Loves all things female cricket