Jhulan Goswami
Indian skipper speaks about team’s strategy for tour Down-Under and pressures of captaincy
Friday, October 24, 2008
Jhulan Goswami interview-‘ I have always thrived in pressure situations’
Sydney: As a gangly 15-year-old, Jhulan Goswami used to daily travel from her suburban town of Chakdah to Kolkata for her cricket training. Apprehensive parents, skeptical neighbours primarily failed to gauge the fire in her belly and read the dream in her eyes. Nine years down the line, it has been a journey worth remembering.
From a raw talent when she made her 'Test' debut in 2002 to world's premier woman fast bowler, ICC's Women cricketer of the Year Award and now the ultimate — leading the national team, it has been an eventful journey for one of India's finest women cricketer of all time. No wonder Aussie women are in awe of Indian captain and are working overtime on trying to find a solution to Jhulan's pace.
The eloquent India eves skipper spoke to cricketnirvana.com in Sydney where she will be leading the national team for the first time against Australia in five ODIs and one T20 international.
Excerpts:
What was your initial feeling after being named skipper?
I couldn't believe it when I first got the news. It goes without saying that it has been a dream come true. When I started playing cricket, I just wanted to enjoy the game. Whether I was bowling against the boys or playing gully cricket. Once I took up cricket seriously, it was important that I do it with conviction. I followed my heart, worked hard and the results followed. Captaincy I would see the result of hard work and consistent performance over the past few years.
Do you think there will be additional pressure on you?
I have always thrived in pressure situations. Agreed, captaincy brings in additional responsibility but one should try and not over burden herself with unnecessary negative thoughts. Captaincy is a burden if one doesn't enjoy it. As far as I am concerned, I have always enjoyed captaincy whenever I have been entrusted with the job at the domestic level.
You are India's main strike bowler. Do you think a bowler-captain faces extra pressure on field?
My philosophy is simple. When you are bowling, you should forget that you are the captain of the side. You should have just one thing in mind. Just take wickets. Only when I am not bowling, I will start devising the strategy and other things.
Mithali Raj has been pretty successful and has been replaced by you after only one bad series in England. Will it hamper your relationship with Mithali?
After I was appointed skipper, the first thing I did was to call up Mithali. I told her that we are friends first and captaincy should never be an issue between us. And let me tell you she is an amazing human being. A big hearted girl who doesn't let these things affect her. According to me she is world's best batswoman and would give more than hundred per cent irrespective of captaincy.
Coming to Australian tour. Don't you think it's difficult when your debut tour as captain happens Down-Under?
I enjoy playing in Australia. During the 2006 tour of Australia, I had some pretty good performances. Also an advantage playing in Australia this year is our matches will mainly be played at Sydney. Sydney will be the venue for our World Cup matches next year. We will have a feel of the SCG wicket. I am hopeful we will do well as the SCG wicket looks quite similar in nature like the pitch at the Bandra Kurla Complex ground. A bit on the slower side.
How well can India come back after a disastrous England tour?
We have to look forward. England tour was one of the worst in my career. I got only one wicket. But at some point you also have to encounter the lows after highs. I have had my share ups and I faced failure also. But I don't believe in looking back. We have players like Mithali, vice-captain Rumeli Dhar, seniors like Anjum Chopra who are capable of handling pressure. We will do well. If MSD's men can win ODI series Down Under, trust me the women won't be far behind.
On personal front, who is your favourite captain?
I would say two. Sourav Ganguly for being such a passionate leader on field and secondly Nasser Hussain whom I find very fascinating. He looked a shrewd customer who get under the skin of the opposition.
Do you have any plans of playing as pro abroad?
I have had offers from North Hampshire club in England and from clubs in Bowland province in South Africa. I haven't been able to go due to domestic season. If it doesn't hamper my domestic commitments, I would like to play abroad.
