India youngster Richa Ghosh, who has featured in the ICC T20 World Cup earlier this year in Australia, is eagerly waiting to get back in action soon. The Siliguri girl is excited with the news of Women’s T20 Challenge that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced recently.
Women’s IPL or better known as Women’s T20 Challenge will take place in the UAE from November 1 to November 10 with three teams.
“I am excited after the announcement of the BCCI. Since March this year, we have been out of ground and have not played any match or attended proper practice sessions. The planned women challenger tournament will definitely provide a platform to return to serious cricket,” said Ghosh to Telegraph India, who is currently at home due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.
It was in March when the Indian team last played any game. Notably, Richa Ghosh played the ICC T20 World Cup final as a concussion substitute for wicketkeeper Tania Bhatia.
“I have not been able to practise in the field as everything is closed now because of the pandemic. But I try to maintain my fitness with free hands and practice at home,” she shared.
Manabendra Ghosh, her father has set up a temporary facility at their home in Siliguri where the youngster has been practising every day to sharpen her batting skills, alongside physical exercises for the past four months.
“We have also watched the recently concluded England and West Indies test series played in England last month,” said Mr. Ghosh.
However, Richa Ghosh is eager to hit the ground not only for Women’s T20 Challenge in the UAE but there are some other reasons as well. The BCCI has announced two international series against South Africa and West Indies before and after the tournament in UAE. And the performances at these series will be counted during the selection of the next World Cup.
Meanwhile, the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, which was scheduled for February-March next year in New Zealand, has been postponed to February-March in 2022. And 2022 will witness three big tournaments – 50-over World Cup in New Zealand, T20 World Cup in South Africa and the T20 tournament in Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
“I am waiting for the day when guidelines would be issued for crickets like us so that we can go out and practise in the field,” Richa Ghosh concluded.
