Touted as India’s best all-rounder, Jhulan Goswami has been a mainstay in the Indian women’s team for over 14 years. The lanky bowler is the fastest bowler in the circuit after Australian speedster Cathryn Fitzpatrick retired from international cricket in 2007. As the veteran from Bengal turns 34 today, we pay tribute to the pride of the Indian women’s team. Goswami made her ODI and Test debut against England in January 2002, when she was just 20 years old.
International career: Tests
In her first Test, she went wicketless and gave away 26 runs. In the next 9 Tests, she has picked up 40 wickets and has become the fourth highest wicket taker for India. The opposing teams have found it hard to negotiate Goswami’s pace and her impressive average of 16.62 is a testimony to it. Goswami helped India win their first Test series in England in 2006 with match figures of 10/78. With two fifties to her name with the bat, she has a decent average of 25.72 for a lower order batswoman. In 13 innings (10 Tests) she has contributed 283 runs with a highest score of 69 against England.
ODIs and T20
Jhulan Goswami is the highest wicket taker for India in ODIs and T20Is. She has picked up 177 wickets in 151 ODIs and has 46 wickets in 56 T20Is. Goswami is also the number 1 bowler in ICC rankings (ODIs). Her unique selling point is her speed and the line and length that she bowls. This deadly combo has helped India win many matches. With the bat, she has scored 919 runs in 151 ODIs and is the sixth highest run scorer for India in T20Is with 370 runs in 56 matches.
India’s best all-rounder
Goswami has contributed time and again with both bat as well as the ball. She was awarded ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year in 2007. She led India in the 2009 World Cup where India played 7 matches and lost only two games. India stood third in the event. Overall, she has had a decent outing as a captain. In 25 ODIs under her leadership, India won 12 and lost 13. In 18 T20Is, India have won 8 and lost 10. Goswami is preparing for the 2017 World Cup and we hope she continues to bring laurels to the country.
