'Just bowl fast' - Titas Sadhu recalls Jhulan Goswami's advice after match-winning spell against Australia

Young India pacer Titas Sadhu played a crucial role in the first T20I against Australia at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, which the hosts won by nine wickets. The debutant showcased her prowess, finishing with excellent figures of 4/11 and went on to win the Player of the Match award. Following a career-best bowling spell, Sadhu recalled her conversation with legendary pacer Jhulan Goswami. 

Sadhu stated that Goswami has been a significant part of her life and she follows the latter's advice to concentrate on "just bowling fast." Notably, Sadhu's spell against Australia was the first time an Indian bowler had taken four or more wickets after Goswami's 5/11 against Australia in March 2012.

"I can tell you one thing. That was the first conversation I had with Jhulan di and she told me ‘stop thinking about everything else, just bowl fast'. 'Because if you're a fast bowler, you have to bowl fast', and I think that has been a key," Titas said after the match. 

"Jhulan Goswami has been a big part of my life because I first saw her when I was 13 and then she has been in constant presence. Right now, she is in Delhi with the Bengal team, which I'm supposed to probably join after this is done. Working with her is a great opportunity (which) not a lot of people have because you get that experience. And how many players have played like more than 100 matches for India and for 20 years? I'm not even 20 years old!,” she added.

The 19-year-old further opened up how she felt when she did not get a chance to play in the inaugural Women's Premier League season for the Delhi Capitals briefly after winning the U-19 World Cup for India.

"Especially coming from that U-19 high to sit (out) for the whole tournament. It was rough and the first couple of matches it was pretty clear that I probably won't get a chance until very late and it is very hard. I had this conversation with our trainer, Wayne. In men's IPL, there are 25 players, and greats (players) sit out for two two-and-a-half-months. Any experience or any opportunity you get, you have to make the best out of it and that actually became the key after the first two weeks. I just went in every practice to think I'll learn as much as I can," the right-armer further said.

She went on to add the the sport always finds ways to humble one, stating 'today's high can be tomorrow's low.'
 
“Cricket is a very humbling game, today's high can be tomorrow's low so you always come back to who you are. You come back to the ground and again, the next match is the next match (and) what you have done yesterday is gone,” she concluded.