Jhulan Goswami, the Indian women fast bowling legend says that for the Indian women players, the quadrennial event is their Olympics. The Indian women’s team begins its quest for a maiden World Cup title on March 6.
Jhulan Goswami has seen several peaks in her illustrious career. She has captained India, been ICC’s Woman Cricketer of the Year in 2007, and is the leading wicket-taker in ODI cricket.
Jhulan Goswami: World Cup Like An Olympic Event For Indian Women Cricketers
At 39, after 25 years of playing the sport, she wants that one prize that has eluded her so far — the World Cup. Jhulan Goswami will lead India’s bowling department in the tournament that starts on March 4 after a year’s postponement due to Covid-19.
“As cricketers we, don’t play the Olympics. For us, World Cup is like an Olympic event. You prepare for four years to reach a certain level. When the mega event finally comes, you go enjoy there and express yourself,” said the ‘Chakdah Express’ in an interaction at the WINS (Women in News and Sport) Workshop, run by ABC International Development and funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Jhulan Goswami is part of the 15-member team that will travel to New Zealand this week to play a solitary T20I and five ODIs to prepare for the marquee event. The challenge will be quarantine rules, said the senior pro.
“We are doing a quarantine in India first, then again one has to be in quarantine in New Zealand, so it’s going to be tough. It requires a lot of mental strength. The preparation does not just include training but also having to stay in a room. We are not able to go out, we are not able to take fresh air. But we accept all the rigours; ultimately getting to do what we love to — play cricket. From the last 25 years, I’m doing just this, hence I can do this sacrifice.”
Ahead of the showpiece event, Jhulan Goswami added that as cricketers they don’t get to play the Olympics, and hence, this World Cup carries the same significance as that of the Olympics to them. Jhulan Goswami, in a long-standing international career full of laurels, has a dream left to achieve: the Cricket World Cup trophy. Jhulan Goswami came close to it twice in 2005 and 2017 but ended up being the runner-up.
Jhulan Goswami: It Won’t Be Easy In New Zealand For Windy Conditions
The other big challenge would be bowling and batting on windy tracks, she added. Jhulan Goswami, last seen in action against Australia, sees the five ODIs as an opportunity to get used to the conditions in New Zealand.
“It’s not going to be easy in New Zealand because wind plays a big role. When you start taking run-ups, sometimes you’re not able to run fast. If you start tapping the bat, the bat starts shaking,” said the fastest women pace bowler in the world today, who bowls regularly at 120 kmph.
Jhulan Goswami featured prominently when Indian women’s cricket took a massive turn in 2017, following their final appearance at the World Cup. This time around, the squad looks different — a combination of youth and experience, with eight new members on the side. While there is no let-up in intensity in preparing for the event, a lot has changed, starting with Covid interruptions.
“With our appearance in the 2017 World Cup final, women’s cricket has seen a surge in viewership. A lot more people have started following, matches are shown regularly on the television, social media has also played its role. So, I think it was the moment that women’s cricket needed.”
Then-Australia captain Belinda Clark and her team’s feat in 1997 sowed the dreams of lifting the World Cup in the young mind of a ball girl. After 25 years and two World Cup finals, the fire still burns in pacer Jhulan Goswami’s belly. She wants to return home with the World Cup in what will most likely be her last appearance at the quadrennial event. The women’s team leaves for its tour of New Zealand this week.
Jhulan Goswami now has acquired 240 ODI wickets at 21.59, while she has claimed 44 wickets in 12 Tests at 17.36 and has 56 T20I wickets in 68 matches, a tally of 337 international wickets.