Veteran India Women bowler Jhulan Goswami has a piece of advice for Harmanpreet Kaur and her girls, saying they just need to “stay strong and hold their nerve” to conquer the world in the upcoming seventh edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 starting on Friday (February 21).
Goswami, who retired from T20I format with 56 wickets in 68 matches, believes that the current India squad is well-balanced and settled and she is confident that the girls will fight the nerve game better this time in the mega event, saying she wants the side to finish on the top in Australia.
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She further added that if India eves manage to win the World T20 trophy this time, it will be a landmark event in Indian cricket and will encourage the new generation of women to play cricket.
The veteran also hopes that Kaur will lead the young and talented squad by example in the tournament, as the Women in Blue are gearing up to take on the defending champions and the hosts Australia in the T20 World Cup 2020 opener on Friday in Sydney.
Goswami told Sportstar, “In the last edition of the tournament, we had beaten them in the group stage to reach the semi-final, which we lost, unfortunately. But it is a different ball game from the semifinals. It can be anybody’s game. If you stay strong and hold your nerve, you can succeed.”
On the recent Tri-Nation series, involving Australia and England, the opined on India’s performance: “We reached the final. We couldn’t win but the girls played really well. They even beat England [in the first match]. The side looks well-balanced and settled. We would want this side to finish on top. Topping an ICC tournament is important.”
She continued, “I am hopeful that Harman [Harmanpreet Kaur] will lead by example. There are other talented players like Shafali Varma, Smriti Mandhana, Jemi [Jemimah Rodrigues], Deepti [Sharma] and Poonam Yadav. If they do well, it will encourage the new generation of women to play cricket.”
The 37-year-old also felt that the Women’s ICC events are getting better day by day and the way Australia is promoting the upcoming tournament, it was just amazing.
Goswami signed off by saying, “If the girls can cash in on this opportunity, it will be a landmark event in Indian cricket. It will be a full house. The way Australia is promoting the World Cup is amazing. I don’t think any other World Cup had this much publicity. For the last two years, people are aware. It is getting better day by day.”
(With Sportstar Inputs)
