Jhulan Goswami talk to YOU about the way forward for women’s cricket…
KOLKATA: They say the journey is more important than the destination. Now that the ‘Chakda Express‘ finally stopped, the former Indian skipper Jhulan Goswami admits to being plagued by nostalgia. As memories wash over her, the retired fast bowler, who boasts 355 career wickets, is happy to get up and enjoy the Durga Puja festivities without having to worry about maintaining her fitness.
Excerpts from a chat…
Your farewell to the Lord’s attracted a lot of attention…
I want to thank BCCI and my teammates for making it special. BCCI pushed me to work on my injuries and get back on the court for one last set. All credit goes to National Cricket Academy (CNA) for getting me back in shape in time for the big series. It was overwhelming to see the record crowd at Lord’s for the final ODI. This means that people have started getting excited about women’s cricket.
What was it like sharing the locker room with young people?
These kids are fearless and focused. They are fun-loving, feisty. All they want is to enjoy the game. This group had a huge impact on me. I was initially nervous about coming back after a break, but they made sure I enjoyed every moment. Smriti, Harman, Deepti and the whole team wanted to win this series for ‘Jhulu di’. It was very touching. They wanted me to finish well. They gave me memories for a lifetime.
You’re kind of a pied piper to these girls. How were your seniors?
I always believed in creating a comfortable space with my teammates and it helped me learn every day. Unlike me, my elders were more serious. They were different except for a few like Anju di (Anju Jain), Anjum di (Anjum Chopra) and Puri di (Purnima Rau) with whom I was friends.
Test cricket remains an elusive format for the new breed of players…
Playing red ball cricket has its own charm. I loved playing test cricket. It tests your character and helps you mature to handle pressure. I’m sure that the BCCI will find opportunities to play this young group in the Tests. Personally, I think Test cricket should continue to be part of the annual calendar.
Your opinion on the female IPL?
The WIPL will be a watershed moment for women’s cricket. With the exception of a few international players under BCCI contract, the rest depend on employment in the railways. There are several talented players in the national circuit. WIPL will be an opportunity for them to gain much-needed financial stability and gain experience playing with and against foreign players. WIPL will make women’s cricket a career in its own right.
Do you regret missing the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham?
When I started, we couldn’t imagine being part of the Commonwealth Games or the Olympics. It would have been very special to play in the CWG, but I have no regrets. From year to year, women’s cricket evolves. Being part of a multi-sport event is the result. With CWG and possibly the Olympics in the future, women’s cricket is in the global space.
You have been named a Mentor of Bengal Women’s Cricket…
Bengal girls performed well in all age groups. Together with Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) I want to help in developing a one year training plan for them, so that they are always associated with the game. We need to give these girls better facilities for them. help improve their performance. Emphasis should also be placed on the selection of talent in the districts. This year’s women’s U-15 tournament is a huge positive. With the U-19 Women’s World Cup scheduled for next year, I hope the girls from Bengal will be chosen for the Indian team.
How do you plan to celebrate Durga Puja?
This Durga Puja is about breaking the rules. I will dig into phuchkas, biryanis after ages. While retirement means not wearing India’s jersey, it also means freedom from those strict rules. I will enjoy with my childhood friends, my brothers and sisters and gorge myself on meals cooked by my mother.
KOLKATA: They say the journey is more important than the destination. Now that the ‘Chakda Express‘ finally stopped, the former Indian skipper Jhulan Goswami admits to being plagued by nostalgia. As memories wash over her, the retired fast bowler, who boasts 355 career wickets, is happy to get up and enjoy the Durga Puja festivities without having to worry about maintaining her fitness.
Excerpts from a chat…
Your farewell to the Lord’s attracted a lot of attention…
I want to thank BCCI and my teammates for making it special. BCCI pushed me to work on my injuries and get back on the court for one last set. All credit goes to National Cricket Academy (CNA) for getting me back in shape in time for the big series. It was overwhelming to see the record crowd at Lord’s for the final ODI. This means that people have started getting excited about women’s cricket.
What was it like sharing the locker room with young people?
These kids are fearless and focused. They are fun-loving, feisty. All they want is to enjoy the game. This group had a huge impact on me. I was initially nervous about coming back after a break, but they made sure I enjoyed every moment. Smriti, Harman, Deepti and the whole team wanted to win this series for ‘Jhulu di’. It was very touching. They wanted me to finish well. They gave me memories for a lifetime.
You’re kind of a pied piper to these girls. How were your seniors?
I always believed in creating a comfortable space with my teammates and it helped me learn every day. Unlike me, my elders were more serious. They were different except for a few like Anju di (Anju Jain), Anjum di (Anjum Chopra) and Puri di (Purnima Rau) with whom I was friends.
Test cricket remains an elusive format for the new breed of players…
Playing red ball cricket has its own charm. I loved playing test cricket. It tests your character and helps you mature to handle pressure. I’m sure that the BCCI will find opportunities to play this young group in the Tests. Personally, I think Test cricket should continue to be part of the annual calendar.
Your opinion on the female IPL?
The WIPL will be a watershed moment for women’s cricket. With the exception of a few international players under BCCI contract, the rest depend on employment in the railways. There are several talented players in the national circuit. WIPL will be an opportunity for them to gain much-needed financial stability and gain experience playing with and against foreign players. WIPL will make women’s cricket a career in its own right.
Do you regret missing the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham?
When I started, we couldn’t imagine being part of the Commonwealth Games or the Olympics. It would have been very special to play in the CWG, but I have no regrets. From year to year, women’s cricket evolves. Being part of a multi-sport event is the result. With CWG and possibly the Olympics in the future, women’s cricket is in the global space.
You have been named a Mentor of Bengal Women’s Cricket…
Bengal girls performed well in all age groups. Together with Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) I want to help in developing a one year training plan for them, so that they are always associated with the game. We need to give these girls better facilities for them. help improve their performance. Emphasis should also be placed on the selection of talent in the districts. This year’s women’s U-15 tournament is a huge positive. With the U-19 Women’s World Cup scheduled for next year, I hope the girls from Bengal will be chosen for the Indian team.
How do you plan to celebrate Durga Puja?
This Durga Puja is about breaking the rules. I will dig into phuchkas, biryanis after ages. While retirement means not wearing India’s jersey, it also means freedom from those strict rules. I will enjoy with my childhood friends, my brothers and sisters and gorge myself on meals cooked by my mother.
