Kimberley: During India’s 178-run win over South Africa in the ICC Women’s Championships here Wednesday, pace bowler Jhulan Goswami etched her name permanently in the history books, by becoming the first player to bag 200 ODI wickets. The lanky bowler from Bengal achieved this feat by dismissing South African opener Laura Wolvaardt caught behind.
It has indeed been a long journey for Jhulan who made her ODI debut 16 years ago against England. But she has survived the grind to be on top of the wicket-takers list among ODI bowlers.
“Every wicket has the same value to me,” Jhulan stated Thursday here. “One needs to work very hard for each and every wicket. So the value of each batswoman I have dismissed is the same to me.
However, if you ask me which is the most memorable among all the wickets, I would say it is my first ODI wicket. I dismissed England opener Atkins. At that point of time, I never had an idea, I would play so long for India, so the first goal was not to have the zero figure in the wickets’ column list. I was young then, doubtful whether I would get a second chance,” added the 35-year-old.
Jhulan dedicated her achievement to all her teammates both past and present. “Cricket is a team game, I couldn’t have reached the distinction without their support. Also my family has played a huge role in constantly encouraging me. When I started playing the game, women carrying cricket kits were looked down on,” she informed. Thankfully, the situation has changed now.
The fast bowler also said that the team have been following the performances of their male counterparts in South Africa and have drawn inspiration at the way the Indians have rolled over the opposition. “Virat (Kohli) is truly an inspirational leader. Also the team have played brilliantly in the first three ODIs. We have certainly been motivated by the way the men have played,” stated Jhulan.
She also informed that she will preserve the ball which she got her 200th wicket. “I have taken the ball from the umpire and have written wicket number 200 on it. It is definitely the most memorable present that I can give myself,” she signed off.
The top five
Player M R W BB 5W/I
Jhulan Goswami (India) 166 4335 200 6/31 2
Cathryn Fitzpatrick (Australia) 109 3023 180 5/14 4
Lisa Stalhekar (Australia) 125 3646 146 5/35 1
Arisa Mohammed (West Indies) 111 2766 145 7/14 5
Neetu David (India) 97 2305 141 5/20 2
agencies
