In a groundbreaking move that celebrates women’s cricket like never before, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced that a new cricket stadium will be built in Siliguri named after World Cup-winning wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh. This makes the 22-year-old the first female cricketer in India to have an entire stadium dedicated to her—a symbolic leap for women’s sports in the country.
Richa Ghosh Cricket Stadium: Essential Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Stadium Name | Richa Cricket Stadium |
| Location | Chandmani Tea Estate, Siliguri |
| Total Area | 27 acres (27.4 acres per some reports) |
| Significance | First stadium named after a female cricketer in India |
| Announced By | CM Mamata Banerjee |
| Announcement Date | November 10, 2025 |
| Project Overseer | Siliguri Mayor Gautam Deb |
| Purpose | Honor Richa & encourage North Bengal cricketers |
Why This Moment Matters
While legendary cricketers Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami have stands named after them at Visakhapatnam’s ACA-VDCA Stadium and Eden Gardens respectively, a dedicated stadium marks an unprecedented level of recognition.
This announcement comes hot on the heels of India’s historic ICC Women’s ODI World Cup triumph, where Richa scored 235 runs at an average of 39.16 across eight matches, including a vital 34 off 24 balls in the final against South Africa that helped India post 298 for 7.
For comprehensive coverage of India’s women’s cricket achievements and emerging talents, check out our dedicated sports section.
A Small-Town Girl’s Journey to Glory
Siliguri in north Bengal is the hometown of Ghosh, the 22-year-old wicketkeeper-batter, who played a major role in the women’s World Cup triumph. What makes her story even more inspiring is that former India pacer Jhulan Goswami discovered Richa during the 2013 district trials in Siliguri.
Now, twelve years later, that young girl from district trials has not only lifted the World Cup but will have her name etched on a stadium in her hometown. The stadium will be built on a 27-acre plot at the Chandmani Tea Estate to honour Richa, one of Bengal’s shining sports talents, and also encourage more young cricketers from north Bengal.
Bengal’s Grand Celebration: More Than Just a Stadium
The stadium announcement is just the latest in a series of honors showered upon Richa:
Banga Bhushan Award: The prestigious state honor conferred by the West Bengal government
DSP Appointment: Appointed as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) by the state government
₹34 Lakh Cash Prize: Richa earned a cash incentive of Rs 34 lakh from CAB in recognition of her 34-run knock against South Africa in the World Cup final
Gold Chain: A personal gift from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee
Gold-Plated Memorabilia: CAB President Sourav Ganguly presented her with a gold-plated bat and ball signed by himself and Jhulan Goswami
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Filling a Long-Standing Gap in Siliguri
Siliguri currently has only one major sports ground, the Kanchenjunga Stadium, known primarily for football. The demand for a dedicated cricket stadium has been longstanding. This new international-standard facility will not only honor Richa but also provide much-needed infrastructure for aspiring cricketers in North Bengal.
What Sourav Ganguly Said
Ganguly lauded her for excelling under pressure, stating, “The role she plays batting lower down the order is very difficult… What she’s done so simply is equal in value to Smriti or Harman”. He further expressed confidence in her leadership potential, predicting she could one day captain India.
Richa’s World Cup Performance That Inspired a Nation
Since making her ODI debut on September 21, 2021, against Australia at Mackay, Richa has featured in 51 matches, scoring 1,145 runs at an average of 29.35 and a strike rate of 103.90, with seven half-centuries to her name.
Her athleticism behind the stumps, combined with her explosive batting, has made her one of the most exciting talents in world cricket. The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup victory was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.
The Bigger Picture: Women’s Cricket Coming of Age
This stadium represents more than bricks and mortar—it’s a statement that women’s cricket heroes deserve the same recognition as their male counterparts. It sends a powerful message to young girls across India that their sporting dreams can lead to legendary status.
As women’s cricket continues its rapid growth, infrastructure investments like this will be crucial in nurturing the next generation of champions.
