‘Winning the World Cupis our next target’

There was a time when the joke in Indian cricket was that Jhulan Goswami was the fastest bowler India’s ever had. Her achievements remain restricted to women’s cricket, but there’s no denying that the Bengal speedster has gone where no other woman cricketer from the country ever ventured.
The 100-wicket bowler talks about her experiences and the journey so far.
Excerpts...

What do 100 wickets mean to you?
They mean a lot. Hundred wickets speak about the efforts I’ve put in. The fact that I’ve managed to do well is a good example of putting forth the fact that I have had excellent team support. These 100 wickets actually form part of a great team effort.

It has been as much about your consistency with the pace that you can generate as it has been about wickets. What is your basic strength?
The most benefiting aspect of my bowling is my action. I have been consistent with my bowling style and it has played a great part. Also, simply because I can bowl faster too, it’s helped me.

The name Jhulan Goswami seems to be getting popular by the day. Are you aware of that?
Of course. I first began noticing it when I won the ICC award last year (for Women’s Player of the Year). I believe that with the BCCI taking things under their control, a lot of things have fallen in place for women’s cricket. Today people take better notice than what they used to. This is a fascinating time for women’s cricket in India and the game is fast changing (for women), which is a nice thing.

... contd.