From travelling for about 4 to 5 hours daily by local trains to practice cricket to finishing up a 20-yr-long career as the highest wicket-taker in women’s international cricket, Jhulan Goswami’s journey will inspire youngsters for generations to come!
ANUBHAV TALUKDAR
Regarded as one of the stalwarts in women’s cricket, Jhulan Goswami recently bid adieu to International cricket. As she hailed from the small town of Chakda in India’s eastern West Bengal state, she was fondly known as the ‘Chakda Express.’ She had embarked on an inspiring journey from the tiny town (Chakda) to become a trail-blazer in women’s cricket. Her steely resolve and unflinching determination have inspired generations of girls in India to take up the sport. The journey wasn’t an easy one, though! Battling against all odds, the former India captain became the highest wicket-taker in women’s international cricket with 353 wickets in 283 matches. Her two decades-long journey finally came to an end at Lords as the Indian women’s cricket team played the final match of the three-game One Day International (ODI) series against England.
She finished her ODI career as the fifth-ranked bowler in the world. In her last ODI series, she picked up three wickets in three games, including two in the last one. In the series, she became the most economical bowler across the two sides (India and England), with an economy rate of 3.00 over 27 overs.
Early Life
Jhulan Goswami was born to father Nishith Goswami and mother Jharna Goswami on November 25, 1982. It was a simple middle class family, where she had to go through the roots of struggle to make a name for herself. With the rich histories of football in Bengal, Jhulan initially had found her interest in football. However, she slowly started to develop an interest in cricket after watching the 1992 Cricket World Cup on television.
According to reports, her interest for cricket deepened after watching former Australian captain Belinda Clark play right in front of her eyes in the 1997 Women’s Cricket World Cup where she took part as a ball-girl. In her early life as a 15-year-old cricketer, she had to board a train from Chakda to Kolkata every day due to the lack of facilities in Chakda for cricket. She used to travel for about 4 to 5 hours every day for practicing the sport, exemplifying her grit and dedication towards cricket.
International Career
After toiling hard in domestic cricket, Jhulan made her One Day International debut against England on January 6, 2002 at the age of 19. Soon after in that year itself, she made her test debut against England on January 14at Lucknow. Jhulan soon began to shine and impress everyone at the International arena with her controlled fast bowling and handy batting lower down the order. She along with captain Mithali Raj had played a pivotal role in India’s first test series victory on English soil. She had played her part very well with both bat and ball as she scored a fifty as a night watchman in the first test at Leicester and taking a 10- wicket haul in the second test at Taunton. She has a total of 40 wickets in 10 test matches with career best figures of 5-25. Jhulan surpassed Australia’s Cathryn Fitzpatrick in May 2017, when she took her 181st wicket against South Africa and thus becoming the highest wicket taker in women’s ODIs. She has a total of 255 wickets in ODIs from 204 matches at a staggering average of 21 following it up with 1227 runs under her belt. In September 2018, she became the only women’s cricketer to cross the 300 wicket mark while playing against Sri Lanka. Being a stalwart not only in India but across the globe in women’s cricket, Jhulan Goswami has proven the fact that if you have the grit and passion to play for your country, then one can overcome any obstacle on their way. She represented India in two World Cup finals in 2005 and 2017, but failed to win the cup for her country. But champions are not judged by the number of cups they win. She is highest wicket taker in Women’s World Cup history. It is the impact that matters and Jhulan has surely earned the crown of a champion cricketer with her match winning contributions across formats.
Awards and Achievements
Jhulan Goswami received the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year award in 2007 when no male Indian cricketer bagged any individual award. She led India from 2008 to 2011 in 25 ODIs before passing the baton. In 2010, Jhulan was awarded with the second highest sporting honour of India- the Arjuna award for her services to the nation. Much to her delight, Jhulan received the Padma Shri award in 2012, becoming the second Indian women cricketer to bag the award after Diana Edulji.
A leader in true sense!
What she has done not only for India but for World cricket as well is immaculate. She is known for her work ethics and one can see that by the length of her career. To have a 20-year career for any player is a massive achievement. Along with her bowling, she is well known for her leadership and mentorship. She was always supportive to the youngsters and had guided them through. And for this on and off field qualities of hers, she has always commanded respect of the opposition. It is indeed an inspiring act for becoming one of the fastest fast bowlers in women’s cricket from a country known to produce spinners.
Milestones
- She finished her ODI career as the fifth-ranked bowler in the world
- Jhulan Goswami received the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year award in 2007 when no male Indian cricketer bagged any individual award
- She led India from 2008 to 2011 in 25 ODIs before passing the baton
- In 2010, Jhulan was awarded with the second highest sporting honour of India- the Arjuna award for her services to the nation
- Jhulan received the Padma Shri award in 2012, becoming the second Indian women cricketer to bag the award after Diana Edulji.
