India’s veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami will call time on her illustrious career after the third and final ODI against England on September 24 which will be played at Lord’s. Goswami, 39, had made her India debut in 2002 and also led the Indian women’s team as well.
This was confirmed by India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who had made her debut under Jhulan’s captaincy in 2009.
“Having her in the side gives you a lot of support and balance in the side. This will be her last tournament and this will be special for her and for us as well,” India captain Harmanpreet Kaur said on Tuesday, ahead of the team’s departure to the United Kingdom.
“It is a great opportunity for me to be leading the team when she will be playing her last ODI. We will try to create some great moments for her, so that we can go back with some good memories and can remember the match. We are trying to make her feel very special. It’s been a great opportunity for all of us to have played with her and we have a lot of good memories,” Harmanpreet added.
Harmanpreet admitted that it was difficult to replace a player of Jhulan’s caliber and said: “Her approach towards the team is unbeatable. She always wants to go out there and do well for the team. When I made it to the team, she was the one who was leading the team, so I have learnt a lot from her. Nobody can fill her place.
She still puts in the hard work as she would in her early days. I have never seen her taking things easy in terms of practice or effort. She goes out and bowls for about two to three hours during practice. You hardly see anyone doing that these days, but that’s the passion she has for the game. As a cricketer and a person, I have learnt a lot from her and she is a great example for all of us.”
In all, Goswami has played 12 Tests, 201 ODIs, and 68 T20Is for India. In ODIs, she was the first women bowler to take over 200 wickets and has 252 scalps to her name with the best figures of 6/31.
In Tests, she has 44 wickets and in T20Is Jhulan has 56 wickets.
(Sportstar inputs)
