Pacer Jhulan Goswami and captain Mithali Raj have been the two torchbearers of women’s cricket not only in India but inspiring girls around the world over the past decade and before. The ongoing Women’s ODI World Cup in New Zealand is most likely the swansong for both the legends.
India defeated Pakistan in their opening match and are set to take on hosts New Zealand on Thursday in Hamilton.
Ahead of the clash against the hosts, Jhulan Goswami made a statement that once again underlined her legendary status and the mindset to put team goals first ahead of personal milestones.
Goswami, who took two wickets against Pakistan, now is just two more wickets away from becoming the most successful bowler at a Women’s World Cup. The Bengal seamer has taken 38 wickets in 29 matches at an average of 19.65 in Women’s ODI World Cups; she is just behind Australia’s Lyn Fulltston who picked up 39 wickets in World Cups between 1982 and 1988.
Jhulan Goswami said she didn’t even know about this record, asserting that “personal milestones do not matter to me” and that her focus is on the team bowling plans at the moment.
“Honestly speaking, I didn’t know that…I am not aware of that. But (the) important (thing) is as a senior member of the side, (I should) go there and perform well, give early breakthroughs,” Jhualn said on the eve of the match against New Zealand.
“That is my job and I often stick to my role and that is the important thing. If you play (for) a long time, you are going to achieve a few individual milestones, yes that gives me a lot of joy. I enjoy (when) I contribute and the team wins. Personal milestones do not matter to me as I am an absolute team player.”
Following the massive 107-runs win against arch-rivals Pakistan, India turn their attention towards host New Zealand once again, having faced them earlier in a bilateral series.
Jhulan Goswami played 3 matches in that series last month and snared 5 wickets. The veteran will take experience from that series and showed confidence in her bowling partners.
“Against New Zealand, it is important to bowl in the right area. The grounds are pretty open, winds are always flowing, so how to take advantage of those things. We discussed a lot of stuff.
“I think Pooja (Vastrakar), Meghana (Singh), Renuka (Singh Thakur), Simran (Dil Bahadur), they have done a decent job always when they get an opportunity and I hope they will continue with their performance,” Jhulan Goswami added.
