Jhulan Goswami is India’s most renowned woman fast bowler. For over 20 years, the 5’11” tall pacer ran in, hit a length, and did what the team wanted her to do. She did it without any complaint, with a smile on her face, and she did it for her love for the game. When Ms. Goswami, now 39, played her first match for India in 2002, women’s cricket was not even one percent on the radar of most sports lovers. There was little recognition, no funds, nearly no broadcast of matches and few people thought of making a career in the game. But she kept going- bowled more than 10,000 balls in One Day Internationals, took a record 255 wickets- and, enlightened the new generation along the way.
Ms. Goswami was a mentor who always helped the young players by sharing her experience. When there was little guidance available, she would share her knowledge with young players- telling them how to prepare, how to bowl in different conditions, what to do in the break between the matches, and how to deal with injuries. Her long and outstanding career is proof that Indian bowlers can bowl fast. People saw and believed her. Her presence helped India win matches, stay relevant in world cricket and make headlines.
Now, as she says goodbye to international cricket, the woman’s game is in a far better place. Of course, she didn’t do it alone but she was an integral and irreplaceable part of the process.
