Virat Kohli Praises Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh Power-Hitting Prowess

A New Era of Power-Hitting in Indian Cricket

In the evolving landscape of Indian cricket, few players have captured the imagination of fans and legends alike as effectively as Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh. Recently, Royal Challengers Bengaluru stalwart Virat Kohli took a moment to shower praise on these two young power-hitters, acknowledging their immense potential and the significant mark they have already made on the international stage.

The Rise of Two Prodigies

Despite being only 22 years of age, both Verma and Ghosh are already seasoned veterans of the sport. Their journey into the limelight began at an exceptionally young age; Shafali Verma made her international debut as a precocious 15-year-old in 2019, followed shortly by Richa Ghosh, who earned her maiden cap at just 16 the following year. Their transition from talented teenagers to foundational pillars of the Indian squad has been nothing short of remarkable.

Their pedigree was further cemented during the inaugural Women’s Under-19 World Cup in 2023, where Verma captained the side to a historic title victory. Their momentum continued to build as they played pivotal roles in India’s senior Women’s ODI World Cup triumph on home soil—a campaign where Ghosh was a mainstay, and Verma contributed significantly as a late-tournament addition.

Kohli’s First-Hand Assessment

Speaking on the RCB Podcast, Virat Kohli shared his genuine awe regarding the duo’s technical and physical prowess. Recalling his experience watching Verma play during the T20 World Cup in Australia, Kohli noted the sheer difficulty of clearing the boundaries at a venue like Perth. ‘When I saw Shafali play, I was amazed, because I have also played in that stadium. She was hitting the ball into the stands, and far,’ Kohli remarked.

Kohli did not stop his praise at Verma; he categorized both players alongside the best finishers in the world, regardless of gender. ‘It is like any top-tier finisher or explosive batter in the game across both genders. I am not just confining it to women’s cricket, but the ability you can see is shining through,’ he added. This level of endorsement from one of the greatest batters in modern history speaks volumes about the technical growth of the young stars.

The WPL Factor

Kohli also emphasized the critical role the Women’s Premier League (WPL) has played in bridging the gap between talent and consistency. ‘There is an amazing rise in standard that is happening in Indian cricket, and predominantly, I would say that a large contribution to that is the exposure which WPL has given to the players,’ he noted. The WPL has allowed players like Richa Ghosh, a two-time champion with RCB, and Shafali Verma, who has been a standout for the Delhi Capitals, to test themselves against global competition regularly.

Looking Ahead

As the cricketing world turns its attention to the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup in England, all eyes will be on Verma and Ghosh. The Indian squad is scheduled to play a three-match T20I series against England as part of their preparation for the marquee tournament. With their current form and the backing of legends like Kohli, expectations are high for these two power-hitters to shine on the biggest stage once again.

Meanwhile, Virat Kohli continues to lead by example in the IPL 2026 season. With 484 runs in 12 matches, including a century and three half-centuries at a strike rate of 165, he remains a dominant force for RCB, proving that the hunger for excellence is shared across generations in Indian cricket.