Former India pacer and one of the finest ever to grace the game Jhulan Goswami has credited the Women’s Premier League (WPL) and the BCCI’s reforms for changing the landscape of the sport in the country and shaping India’s newly crowned World Cup-winning team.
Reflecting on the memorable World Cup victory on November 2 in Navi Mumbai, Goswami said that the platform and opportunities available to today’s cricketers have completely changed the face of the women’s game in India.
“My career began with pure love for the game. I was a sporty girl who preferred playing over school,” Goswami shared during a chat with JioHotstar.
“Watching the 1992 World Cup with white balls and coloured clothing got my entire neighbourhood talking about cricket, and I knew I wanted to play. Sports brought me absolute joy, and I never overthought things, just enjoyed each moment,” she said.
Goswami, who retired as one of the most respected figures in women’s cricket, said that the evolution of the game in India is the result of consistent efforts made by the board over the years.
“What Jemimah Rodrigues and her teammates achieved in the World Cup final was truly deserved through their hard work,” she said.
“Since the 2002 World Cup, women’s cricket has transformed completely thanks to the BCCI and Jay Shah sir’s initiatives like equal pay, WPL, better domestic structure, stable coaching staff, and access to the National Cricket Academy. These systematic changes ultimately helped our girls become world champions.”
The former pacer highlighted how the WPL has completely turned the tables in helping players develop a stronger mindset and greater understanding of the game.
“WPL has brought tremendous benefits to our players through exposure to quality cricketers and professional dressing rooms. Our girls learn game-reading, mental clarity, and defined roles from international stars,” she said.
According to her, the experience of competing in the WPL has helped many Indian players seamlessly step up to international cricket.
“The tournament has produced many quality cricketers who have seamlessly transitioned into the Indian team. Playing in front of 30,000-35,000 crowds helps them handle pressure situations better in big matches.
“Unlike our generation, these girls now know how to react in high-pressure finals. The financial support and belief from WPL has transformed domestic cricket, and players like Jemimah now share these valuable experiences with younger teammates during team travels,” she added.
From being a young girl who dreamt of playing cricket from Chakdha after watching the 1992 World Cup to witnessing India lift the trophy years later, Goswami’s journey indeed came full circle.
Loves all things female cricket