Jhulan Goswami rewarded for her performance in the World Cup

Jhulan Goswami has over the years been the face of Indian cricket. She has been a part of international cricket for almost a decade and a half since bursting onto the scene, Goswami, one of the fastest bowlers in the women’s game till not too long ago, has reaped rewards through her skiddy pace and by her ability to extract bounce from the wicket.

This year, she surpassed Australian bowler, Cathryn Fitzpatrick to become the highest wicket-taker in Women’s ODI history. Now, being veteran in the side, she plays a role of mentor and tries to share her experience with the talented young unit.

Rewarded for her performance by Air India

In recently concluded World Cup, Jhulan played a pivotal role to help India play the final. With her exceptional performance with the ball in the final, India restricted the mighty English Women to 228 and fell 9 short of making a history.

After her arrival back home, she was felicitated as Air India CMD offered her a promotion. “The Air India CMD had called me in Delhi and I was offered the promotion from (Deputy Manager),” Goswami told PTI expressing her joy.

Preparations in full swing for next ICC event

Women’s World Cup T20 is scheduled next year, but for Jhulan, the practices will be in full swing from now on. “We’ve been playing non-stop cricket so at the moment there will be a break. Next year, we have World Twenty20 and we will prepare for that as a team,” she said.

The Indian team had a scintillating stint in the WWC 2017 which eventually has given rise to a voice for, Women’s Indian Premier League. When asked about her thoughts on the same, she said, “Of course I will be available as a player. I’m still fit enough to play in IPL, if at all it happens.”

9 run loss has made a great impact

A shocking 9 runs defeat has created a mark on the Indian players which will erase only after they win an ICC event soon. Being part of the game for long, Jhulan isn’t certain about her participation in next 50 over World Cup.

“The nine runs regret will remain forever. We dominated the match for 85 per cent but they snatched the match with their show in the death overs. This opportunity will never come again. We will have to start from zero again,” Jhulan said.

“Many (senior players) may not be around next time. I will try my best but cannot say at the moment as four years is a long time,” she said. “But the World Cup has taught us how to be mentally tough. This will show women’s cricket a new direction, quite similar to what happened in Australia and England.”

Difference between two World Cup final

In 2005, Indian Women’s team made their way through to final and Jhulan was a part of the 15-member squad. She believes, the difference between two World Cup finals was quite evident which even reflected in the team’s performance.

“We did not get that much coverage (that time). The Women’s Cricketers’ Association also did not have the money to get so much publicity,” she said. “But the way the ICC has promoted this time, it’s the best World Cup and the facilities were at par with men’s World Cup,” Jhulan concluded.