Indian women’s cricket has begun to take a major momentum shift towards transforming itself post 2005. This didn’t happen in a single match; it was put into action by years of efforts by its veteran players like MI thali Raj and Jhulan Goswami. With the former veteran having already hung her boots in the international cricket, Jhulan will call it the day at the prestigious Lord’s cricket ground.
What a prolific player she has been over the years! Being consistently there in the wicket’s column, maintaining the fitness and always keeping her bowling arsenal to the mark.
Batting is everyone’s piece of pie; bowling is a difficult area to sustain as a cricketer.
Just the idea of playing international cricketer for over 20 years is just beyond comprehension as the seemingly increasing competition from players and fitness concerns surrounding any cricketer does make it a strenuous job. Jhulan sustained it over the years utmost conviction, passion and discipline. This also includes persistent training regime and fitness. Both happened to be her strengths, none of them got into the way to stop her from playing cricket.
Erecting a pathway for women’s cricket to excel in a time where the boards didn’t bother about the women’s game requires integrity and conviction to stand up for a larger cause, Jhulan was an upfront leader in that aspect apart from leading the bowling unit.
Her spell changed the course of the matches in numerous occasions, as her efficiency is both at the opening and death overs. The terrific new ball bowler took India’s bowling responsibility single handedly on her shoulders. Day in day out she kept working not just her strengths but also expanding her arsenal. One of the main reasons for her career’s longevity is that she is not predictable bowler with limited variations. The deadly inswingers and Yorkers have only got better by time. Players have only been amused at the way she bowls the strict line and lengths; she doesn’t offer much to the batters in terms of freebies and loose balls. Jhulan bowled 5.62% maidens out of the total 2260 overs she bowled so far.
She had a lighter side of the field as she became a reliable mentor within the team. The next set of youngsters who were groomed under her have progressed further up their ranks under the mentorship of the veteran herself.
Indian cricket has always been embraced by her resolve to serve them as a selfless soldier who stood on the frontline to take it upon herself. She picked 353 International wickets at an economy rate of 3.61 R.P.O as of now and will end her career as the highest wicket taker in the history of the game.
It dints end there; Goswami also oversaw the transformation of leadership in the Indian women’s cricket and was a big part of the bold and fearless cricket it represents now.
That’s how her performance and the records spoke by itself. She kept breaking them and propelling Indian cricket to greater heights.
It’s always an honor to anybody who witnessed the legend like Jhulan Goswami take on the field, the cheer for the wickets taken by Jhulan will be missed. Go well Jhulan, we will continue to hail you off the field as well.
