Indian women’s cricket stalwart Jhulan Goswami is all set to play her final international match against England at the Lord’s on Saturday and admits that not able to win a World Cup will remain her “only regret” in a storied cricket career that lasted over two decades.
“I have played two World Cup finals but couldn’t win the trophy. That remains my only regret because you prepare for the World Cup for four years. There is a lot of hard work. For every cricketer, it is a dream-come-true moment to win a World Cup,” Jhulan Goswami said in a virtual pre-match press conference.
Undoubtedly, one of the greatests pacers of all time, Jhulan began her international career in 2002 when she debuted against the same opponents against whom she will be making her final appearance. The legendary Indian fast bowler has represented India in 12 Tests, 68 T20I and 203 ODIs. She has picked up 44 wickets in Tests, 253 wickets in Women’s ODI and 56 wickets in Women’s T20I.
The legendary pacer said that she is fortunate to play the sport as she came from a small town where no one knows about women’s cricket.
“When I started, I never thought of playing for such a long time. It was a great experience. I am fortunate to play the sport. Honestly, coming from a humble background and a small town like Chakdah (in West Bengal’s Nadia district), I didn’t know anything about women’s cricket,” the legendary pacer said.
Fondly called as Jhulu Di by her teammates, she said receiving the India cap was one of the most special moments of her journey.
“My best memory is when I got the India cap and bowled the first over because I never imagined (that I will play for India). The journey was difficult as I had to travel for two-and-half hours by local train one way every day for training,” Jhulan said.
Speaking about the moment that will always stay with her, Jhulan said, “When I started, it was different. Those days, we used to represent the women’s cricket association of India and now, we are under the umbrella of the BCCI. We are fortunate enough; every time BCCI supports us and they always come forward to support us. At the same time, the best memory was when I received the maiden India cap from my captain. It was a wonderful feeling.”
“Bowling that first over, that was the most important moment of my life. I always dreamt of playing for the country. In 1997, the first time I saw the Women’s World Cup final at Eden Gardens, it was between Australia and New Zealand,” she added.
“I was a ball girl for that match, and then I dreamt that I might represent my country for the first time. That is how I started, representing the country is the biggest moment of my life,” she further stated.