Anjum Chopra thinks wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh should be promoted higher up the batting order for the women’s T20 Asia Cup.
Chopra’s recommendation comes after Jemimah Rodrigues was ruled out of the tournament due to a hamstring injury, leaving India with an opening in the top three. The Asia Cup begins in Dubai on August 28.
Richa has mostly been used as a finisher for the Indian team, but Chopra thinks that the batter could have a bigger impact if she gets more time at the crease.
Anjum Chopra supported Richa Ghosh for a higher batting position.
Richa Ghosh has moved around India’s batting order frequently but has been mainly used in the lower middle order as a finisher.
With Jemimah Rodrigues out, Chopra feels this is the right time to give Richa a regular role in the top order.
Richa has already played at No. 3 for India. According to The New Indian Express, she averages 48.75 at No. 3 in ODIs and 90 in three T20Is. She also has a T20I strike rate of 155.17 at that position.
Richa has played only a few innings at No. 3, but her numbers show that she can make a big impact when she gets more time at the crease.
Chopra also recalled that head coach Amol Muzumdar had tried Richa at No. 3 after taking charge of the Indian team. But eventually the experiment was dropped, and the team returned to its earlier batting combination.
Jemimah Rodrigues' injury opens a spot in India's top order.
Jemimah Rodrigues’ injury has created an important selection question for India ahead of the Asia Cup.
Rodrigues suffered a high-grade right hamstring tear while playing for Southern Brave in The Hundred and was ruled out of India's Asia Cup campaign. Pratika Rawal was brought in to replace her.
The change leaves India with several options for the No. 3 position.
Chopra, however, believes Richa is one of the best options as she can pick up the bowling and switch the momentum of the innings.
Richa’s recent performances have also justified giving her more responsibility. She can score fast and can play both pace and spin well.
Her speed makes her very useful in T20 cricket, and the impact of a batter is often measured not only by runs but also by how fast those runs are scored.
Chopra’s argument is therefore not just about moving Richa up the order for the sake of it. It’s about giving one of India’s most aggressive batters more opportunities to influence matches.
At the same time, India will have to consider the value Richa brings as a finisher. Moving her to No. 3 could leave the team without one of its most destructive options in the later overs.
That makes the decision a tactical one for the team management.
The Women’s T20 Asia Cup will be played in Dubai from 28 August to 13 September, with India and Pakistan in the same group. Their league stage will be on 5 September.
When Rodrigues is absent, the tournament could provide India with the chance to try out a different batting combination.
Whether management will follow Chopra's suggestion to move Richa to No. 3 remains to be seen.
But now, with her strong numbers in the limited opportunities she has received higher up the order, Richa Ghosh has a clear case for being given more responsibility with the bat.
