Legendary India pacer Jhulan Goswami is featuring in her last international match in the ongoing third ODI against England at Lord’s.

Having shared the dressing room for close to two decades, former India skipper Mithali Raj paid a rich tribute to Jhulan, recalling how the Chakdaha Express would "spit fire" even while bowling in the nets.

WATCH: Jhulan Goswami receives 'guard of honour' from England players in her farewell match

"We are of the same age, so we have that comfort level and communication. It was always very easy to reach out to her and speak to her. Someone who was always high on energy on the ground, may be because she is a fast bowler," said Mithali while speaking to PTI.

"In the nets, I would often ask her 'why are you spitting fire, you are my teammate only na'. Then she would say 'to get out is the toughest'. She always had the competitive streak including domestic cricket where we played against each other often. I enjoyed that rivalry as well," he added.

A fast bowler is expected to be aggressive but Jhulan was also gentle at heart.

Sharing an anecdote from a domestic match, Mithali said: "We were playing in the semifinals (Railways versus Bengal). I did not carry my helmet during that domestic season. Jhulan was aiming right at my head and I did leave a lot of her bouncers.”

"After a while she came up to me and said 'why are you not wearing a helmet? I was like 'I did not carry helmet', how will I wear one?' Those were the fun times."

Mithali, who returned earlier this year, further said even the opposition would give her due respect, especially when she was at her peak.

"What her stood out was her accuracy. She was not much of a swing bowler, she was more of a bowler who would get the ball in and out. The cutters were her strength. At her peak, she would hardly give loose balls."

Both Mithali and Jhulan started playing at a time when women's cricket wasn’t popular in India.

"We had a lot of fun probably early in our careers though she was more at the receiving end of my pranks. As we got older and matured, we saw many of our teammates leave the game and both of us were left among a bunch of new faces.

"Having her in the team helped because she was also that person who would speak to everybody and communicate. Whenever I needed an opinion she would always give one."

Mithali also recalled their batting partnerships in the middle.

"I enjoyed batting with her as well and I always thought she could contribute a lot more with the bat.

"There were some good partnerships, some amazing wins, some bad losses, we have seen it all through. It is a sad moment (that she is retiring) but also a moment to celebrate someone who played for such along time. It is not easy to have a career like that as fast bowler."

(With PTI inputs)