Ready to give my best in T20 WC: Richa Ghosh

Uncapped Bengal batter Richa Ghosh, who has been surprisingly named in the 15-member India squad for the women's T20 World Cup, was never expecting a call-up despite her good shows lately.


But now that she has got one, the 16-year old is ready to do everything in her power to make the opportunity count at the big stage.

Ghosh's inclusion was the only significant change in an otherwise settled India squad led by Harmanpreet Kaur.

Ghosh, who did so well for Bengal U-19 team last season, rode a series of promising performances in the middle order for the Smriti Mandhana-led India 'B' side in the just-concluded domestic Challengers Trophy.

"I was playing in the CAB Challengers Trophy when our physio broke the news to me. I never expected this and was shell shocked," Ghosh told IANS here.

In the domestic Challengers Trophy, Ghosh top-scored with 25 in a low-scoring game against India 'C' and then followed it up with another 25-ball 36 in a chase of 149 against the same opposition in the reverse tie.

"I am confident of my abilities. I will do everything I can to help my team as and when I get opportunities. The World Cup is a big stage and for that I will train my hardest," said the south Kolkata resident.

The Women in Blue will kick-off their campaign at the showpiece event against hosts Australia in Sydney on February 21.

Ghosh looks up to Sachin Tendulkar and Mahendra Singh Dhoni as her idols, but in the current Indian team, the dashing Harmanpreet is the one she admires the most.

"I am thrilled as I will be playing with her and all my senior colleagues whom I have looked up to," she said.

"It's fabulous news. She is really talented and have been performing very well in domestic cricket. A true all-rounder in every sense, Richa is an asset for any team as she can bat, bowl and keep wickets, depending on the requirement of team. We are confident that she would excel in the global event," Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) Secretary Avishek Dalmiya said.

"She is a hard-hitter and is one of the few women cricketers who can clear the boundary of full-size cricket grounds with ease," he added.

"We have Richa, who did well in the Challenger Trophy and domestic cricket... So we will stick to our best XI. Before the World Cup, we will be able to decide our best XI," Harmanpreet said about Richa in Mumbai on Sunday.

India will take on England in a tri-series opener at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on January 31 with the final slated to be held on February 12 in Melbourne.

Squad for T20 World Cup: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodriguez, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Veda Krishnamurthy, Richa Ghosh, Tania Bhatia, Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gaikwad, Shikha Pandey, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy.

Tri-series squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (captain), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodriguez, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Veda Krishnamurthy, Richa Ghosh, Tania Bhatia, Poonam Yadav, Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gaikwad, Shikha Pandey, Pooja Vastrakar, Arundhati Reddy, Nuzhat Parveen.IANS