West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced plans to build a cricket stadium in Darjeeling to honor Indian cricketer Richa Ghosh. Speaking at a felicitation ceremony for the cricketer, Banerjee said the initiative was aimed at celebrating Richa’s achievements and inspiring future generations of cricketers from Bengal.
Richa was instrumental in winning the 2025 Women’s World Cup. She scored 235 runs in eight matches at an average of 39.16 and a strike rate of 133.52. She bowled cameos of 26 from 16 balls in the semi-final against Australia and 34 from 24 in the final against South Africa. The Women in Blue won their first ICC trophy.
It should be called the Richa – Mamata Banerjee Cricket Stadium
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the government would build a cricket stadium in Darjeeling, named after the young cricketer. Banerjee mentioned that the ‘Richa Cricket Stadium’ would serve as a symbol of pride and inspiration for future generations.
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“Richa became a world champion at just 22 years of age. On behalf of the West Bengal government, we paid tribute to her, but I want to do more. There are around 27 acres of land in Darjeeling, and I have requested the mayor to plan a cricket stadium there. It should be called Richa Cricket Stadium so that people remember her performance in future and take inspiration from it,” Mamata Banerjee said.
Bengal Cricket Association rewarded Richa Ghosh with ₹34 Lakh
Richa Ghosh was honored by the Government of West Bengal and the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) at a grand felicitation ceremony at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on November 8, 2025, for her outstanding performance in the ICC Women’s World Cup.
Mamata Banerjee personally handed over her letter of appointment to the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in West Bengal to Richa. The Chief Minister also presented him with the prestigious Banga Bhushan Award, a gold chain and sincere congratulations.
The CAB gave him a cash reward of ₹34 lakh, corresponding to his 34 runs in the World Cup final against South Africa, along with a golden bat and ball in appreciation for his efforts in India’s historic title win.
Richa Ghosh’s stadium proposal could create history
Richa Ghosh showed calmness under pressure and explosive finishing skills. She scored 94 runs against South Africa in the group stage as India struggled with 102 runs for six.
If West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s proposal to build a stadium in Richa’s honor becomes a reality, it will be a historic moment for women’s cricket in India. It would be the first-ever stadium in the country to be named after a female cricketer.
With cricket legends like Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami having the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Visakhapatnam and Eden Gardens in Kolkata named after them respectively, building an entire stadium dedicated to a woman cricketer would be a remarkable milestone for the game.
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