‘He’s known globally’: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee bats for Sourav Ganguly as ICC chief

Banerjee also congratulated the other team members of the World Cup squad.

“Sourav is known globally. He does not need any introduction. Eden Gardens is witness to many historic moments. I call it the Golden Garden. Sourav has contributed a lot for our country and Bengal. Every time I see him it reminds me of the moment when he removed his T-shirt … Sourav headed the team as captain for a long time,” the CM said.

“Sourav may get disappointed that I am saying this here. I am a bit outspoken and I am unable to change that. Who better than him was qualified to be the ICC president? I have a strong feeling that he will be there one day as it is not so easy to stop him,” she added.

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) also presented Richa with a Rs 34 lakh cash reward and a golden bat and ball, signed by Sourav Ganguly and former India pacer Jhulan Goswami. 

The West Bengal government also gifted her a gold chain during the ceremony.

Lauding Richa’s contributions to women’s cricket, CM Banerjee said that her achievements have fulfilled India’s long-standing dream of clinching an ICC title and expressed hope for continued success without adding undue pressure on the young cricketer.

Sourav Ganguly also praised her role in the crucial tournament. “The job Richa does, batting at number six, is the toughest. She gets fewer balls but needs to score a lot of runs. She has scored runs there. Her strike rate made the difference (Richa had the best strike rate in this year’s World Cup, scoring at 133.34),” he said.

She will one day be the captain of Team India, he said.

“A world-class academy will be built in Dumurjala within a year. The cricketers of Bengal will benefit from it,” said Ganguly, referring to the new CAB academy being built on land provided by the state government in Howrah. 

Speaking on the occasion, Richa said, “The kind of warm welcome I received after reaching Siliguri (her hometown) and today is a great honour. Everything looks like a dream.”

She also shared her approach to batting in challenging situations, a skill that has earned her the dressing room nickname ‘Chota Mahi’ for her ability to hit big sixes like Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Asked how she reacts under pressure, she said, “I love to play in difficult situations. I love to win matches for the team.”

Jhulan Goswami, who is credited with first discovering Richa, said, “In 2013, I told CAB that I wanted to discover talent from districts. The talent hunt started that year. That’s where I first saw Richa. She is the best talent I have seen.”

“When I wanted her to play for the Bengal senior team, many said she was too young. But the CAB and the officials stood by me. Everyone has understood that my decision was right. But Richa’s new fight starts from here,” she said.

Jhulan recalled the initial hurdles in getting Richa into the senior team. “When I wanted her to play for the Bengal senior team, many said she was too young. But the CAB and the officials stood by me. Everyone has understood that my decision was right. However, Richa’s new fight starts from here.”

In the World Cup, Richa scored 235 runs in eight matches at an average of 39.16 and an impressive strike rate of 133.52. She hit 12 sixes, matching the record for most sixes in a single Women’s World Cup edition. Her crucial knocks included 94 against South Africa in Vizag and a vital 34 in the final against the same team in Navi Mumbai.

The ceremony was attended by state Sports Minister Aroop Biswas, Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma, former Indian cricket captain Jhulan Goswami, current and former officials of the Bengal Cricket Association, former male and female cricketers of the state and actress Mimi Chakraborty among others.