The fastest bowler in the world and India's pride

"Jhulu" as she is affectionately referred to, is currently the vice captain of India's women's team who are in Sri Lanka, taking part in the Asia Cup. India won the previous edition of the tournament and start as favourites once again. They are going into the prestigious event with a young side but with two veterans in their ranks - Jhulan Goswami (vicecaptain) and Mithali Raj (captain).

One of the most endowed cricketers in the present Indian squad and fastest bowler in the world, Jhulan Goswami made her mark ever since she set foot in the sport. Very popular amongst team-mates, she is fondly called ‘Jhulu’. An avid fan of her, Priya Ganoo, gives us everything we needed to know about this tremendous Indian achiever in sports.

Jhulan comes from a small village on the outskirts of Kolkata and started playing tennis-ball cricket as a teen with the boys in her locality. She happened to watch the 1997 Women’s World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand and it was the trigger that got her to take up the sport professionally.

© AFP Jhulan Goswami after winning the ICC Women's Player of 2007 award

Initially, when she began playing the sport, her parents were reluctant as they wanted her to pursue studies. They were convinced when her coach in Kolkata spoke to them and urged them to allow Jhulan to continue cricket. Now she claims that family is her backbone and biggest support.

Jhulan’s smooth and effortless run-up combined with the strong new-ball partnership with Amita Sharma has proven capable of wrecking the most prolific of batting orders. Batsmwomen around the world have expressed concerns while countering the deadly duo.

She is currently the fastest female bowler in the world, clocking 120kph. The primary reason for her success can be attributed to the movement she receives off the pitch on hitting the seam and also the awkward bounce.

She plays for Air India with Mithali Raj and was named vice-captain for India's tour of England in 2006, during which she helped India to the Test series win, including their first victory against England, making a fifty as nightwatchman in the first Test at Leicester and taking her career-best match figures of 10 for 78 – 5 for 33 and 5 for 45 – in the second Test at Taunton.

The 2005 World Cup was the highest point of her career where she took 13 wickets in eight matches. Her scalps came at an impressive economy rate of just 2.74 rpo. She was bestowed with the ICC Women's Player of Year 2007 award, a ceremony in which no Indian male player bagged an award. 

Jhulan captained the India ‘A’ squad in the recently concluded challenger series where she steered her team to a win with an all-round performance. They defeated India 'C' by three wickets in a closely fought encounter. 

India’s brilliant display in the last Women’s World Cup where they reached the final is sure put them under the pressure for next year’s edition of the coveted tournament.

Jhulan is of the strong belief that with the BCCI taking active interest in the women’s arena, the game is moving in a positive direction.

Well, we can only hope the best for Jhulan and her team for the future and perhaps another ICC Women's Player of Year award, what say Jhulu? 

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