Jhulan Goswami has shown the world what she is capable of: Sourav Ganguly

India fast bowling sensation Jhulan Goswami was felicitated by the Cricket Association of Bengal for her fine performance in the recently concluded ICC Women’s World Cup. Goswami led the bowling attack of India in the tournament and bowled a memorable spell in the finals returning with 3/23.

Goswami was upset by her performance, wanted to be dropped

Goswami has been a hard working bowler for India for a number of years. She bowls at pace and extracts extra bounce from the surface which troubles batters. She finished third in the list of highest wicket getters in the World Cup, claiming 10 wickets in 9 games at 26.60. By her own admission, she was disappointed by her performance in the first two games and also spoke to the coach about sitting out in the next game. But she made a rousing comeback and bowled hostile spells with the new ball for India, getting an early breakthrough for her side in almost every game post the first two group matches.

Ganguly hails Goswami

Sourav Ganguly, former India captain and current president of CAB, paid tributes to the services paid by Goswami to Indian cricket. He said that he was surprised to see the pace at which Goswami bowls. “She always inspires us. During my cricketing career, I always thought that how a woman around 6ft 2inch can bowl with this kind of pace,” said Ganguly.

Hailing from the same state Bengal, Ganguly saw Jhulan Goswami struggle during her initial days as a cricketer. He still remembers how she used to travel a fair distance to practice. He also pointed out how Women’s cricket has evolved now as her mother, who never watched cricket matches except for Ganguly’s playing days, now follows Women’s cricket with great interest.

“She came to practice all the way from Chakdaha, to Kolkata which shows her dedication and love for the game. When I played cricket for India my mother used to watch only my matches on TV, but during this World Cup I saw that she was sitting and watching India’s matches and praying to god for the country. I think Jhulan has shown the world, what she is capable off by claiming the most number of wickets in the Women’s ODI cricket.”

Goswami at top of the pile

Goswami perched to the top of the wicket tally in the history of Women’s ODI cricket earlier this year when she overtook Cathryn Fitzpatrick’s tally of 180 wickets. The 34-year old is just 5 wickets shy of becoming the first Woman to claim 200 WODI wickets.

Since making her India debut in 2002, the lanky fast bowler has played in 164 games claiming 195 wickets at 21.95. Her economy rate of 3.24 is exceptional for 50-over cricket.