Jhulan Goswami Climbs A Rare Peak In Women’s Cricket

In a country where the surname Goswami spruces up an immensity of sudden reaction that you might not be accustomed to seeing, remotely connected in any way to the world of sports, least of all- Cricket, Jhulan has climbed a new first in Women’s Cricket.

In a game that strangely remains ever skewed towards batting and is predominantly represented by the power of the willow to suppress the searing pace of the ball, India’s Jhulan Goswami has neutralised the contest by becoming the highest wicket-taker in the ODI format. Thus giving women bowler’s a long standing due of recognition, feted by her achievement.

With a record 181 wickets in the 50-over format, Jhulan, who last played a Test in 2014 while an ODI game just days before, has emerged the highest wicket-taker in modern competitive women’s cricket with 273 scalps from either format of the game.

In an age where cricket’s histrionics are being amplified by a somewhat uncanny but obsessive dwelling on social media, Jhulan Goswami has calmly reinforced the focus of women’s cricket toward the rigours and high of competing at the highest level on the 22 yards, not in atmospherics. Where most fast bowlers are renowned for pace and lauded for possessing guile, the 34-year-old is respected for possessing both.

Bowling constantly at 120 k/hr, Jhulan Goswami, regarded as the fastest exponent of bowling in Women’s Cricket is also hailed for an uncanniness of generating movement off the pitch when she lands the bowl on the seam.

It is but no coincidence that her bowling figures, both in her latest game against the Proteas, part of a current Quadrangular series in South Africa as well as her debut game, a whopping 15 years ago, bore a mighty resemblance in economy rate. While against England, in Chennai, 2002, Jhulan raked up 2 wickets from her ebb of 7 overs at a brilliant frugal rate of 2.14, against the Proteas, at their home turf, Goswami skittled a batting heavy chart by bowling 1 maiden, conceding just 20 off 7 overs. But going a wicket better than her debut outing; finishing with 3 prized scalps, including that of Klerk.

In a game so often carved by batswomen’s efficacy, it pays to have a bowler scale a peak so rare that warrants some credit even from the enemy camp. Lavishing effusive praise on Jhulan Goswami’s world-record were present and former stars such as Anjum Chopra, Lisa Sthalekar and, Isha Guha who’ve labelled Goswami’s achievement worth celebrating Women’s Cricket for.

But in the process of having broken Australia’s pace bowler Fitzpatrick’s decade-long record, it remains to be seen if Goswami can pick from where she left at Potchefstroom and take each game at a time, considering that in November, India’ leading pace bowler will turn 35. And while that might not be the final string of an imminent swansong, it does inform the fan about Jhulan Goswami not being at the peak of youth.