Jhulan Goswami – How a Chakdaha girl is ruling women’s cricket in India since 2002?

The lightning lady of Indian Women’s Cricket team and an inspiration to millions around the cricketing world – Jhulan Goswami has been at the forefront of Indian cricket and has been a flag bearer for so many years.

She comes from a very humble background and has made her way through struggles, societal tantrums, and several unpleasant situations. She never stopped and kept on creating milestones along her prodigious journey that spans over 18 years.

Ace bowler Jhulan Goswami announces her retirement from T20 internationals
Jhulan Goswami. Pic Credits: ICC

In pointers, we have tried to explain to you this beautiful journey of our very own Chakdaha express – Jhulan Goswami. 

1. She was born on 25 November 1982 in Chakdaha, a small city in West Bengal, India

2. Jhulan began playing at the age of 15, taking inspiration for World Cup Final match in 1997 at Eden

3. Watching Australia women take a victory lap after defeating New Zealand motivated her to take up cricket

4. She used to wake up at 4.10 am to board 5.05 am local train from Chakdaha to attend practice sessions

5. She would spend nearly 5 hours every day traveling to and fro and recalls as the best days of her life

6. Coming from a non-cricketing background, Jhulan’s parents wanted her to pursue studies & not cricket

7. She would often encounter people questioning her cricket career and make derogatory remarks

8. Her Coach Swapan Sadhu was very impressed with Jhulan’s high-arm bowling action

9. He met Jhulan’s parents and convinced them to let her play, at least for 2 years

10. At the age of 19, she made her debut in the Indian team

Jhulan Goswami - Female Cricket
Jhulan Goswami – Female Cricket
11. She made her ODI debut against England Women at Chennai, January 6, 2002

12. She made her Test debut against England Women at Lucknow, January 14-17, 2002

13. She made her T20I debut against England Women at Derby on August 5, 2006

14. With figures of 5/21, she guided the Indian team to first Test series win in England in the 2006-07 season

15. For her phenomenal performance, she won the ICC Women’s Player of the Year 2007

16. She captained the Indian side from 2008-2011, including 2009 Women’s World Cup

17. For her contribution to sports, in 2010 she was awarded the prestigious Arjun Award

Also Read: Top 10 facts about the legend – Jhulan Goswami

18. In 2012, she became only the second Indian female cricketer to receive Padma Shri

19. In 2017, she was also part of the Indian team that reached the Finals of Women’s Cricket World Cup

20. In February 2018, she became the FIRST female cricketer to take 200 ODI wickets

21. In April 2018, Jhulan was featured on an Indian postage stamp issued in her honor by the Indian government

Also Read: 10 Quotes from Jhulan Goswami that will inspire you to take up cricket today

22. Jhulan Goswami announced her retirement from T20Is, her last T20 was against Bangladesh on June 2018

23. In March 2019, Jhulan became the world’s No.1 ODI bowler

24. Jhulan along her journey has inspired several girls to take up cricket, including Pakistan’s bowler Kainat Imtiaz

25. Female Cricket salutes this lightning lady of Indian cricket who has been the flag bearer for so many years

Also Read: Our Exclusive interview with Jhulan Goswami

Loves all things female cricket

Also Read:  "I fear she might break someone's head," says Amitabh Bachchan

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