'Don't think anyone can touch her record': Jhulan Goswami's big words for Harmanpreet Kaur

India's pace legend Jhulan Goswami believes that Harmanpreet Kaur’s recent success has firmly cemented her legacy, describing her captaincy record as untouchable. Following India’s historic triumph in the Women’s ODI World Cup on home soil and her dual WPL titles with the Mumbai Indians, Harmanpreet has finally delivered the ICC silverware that had eluded the national team for decades. According to Goswami, these achievements place the 36-year-old in a league of her own as a leader.

The legacy Harmanpreet Kaur will leave in the future is hard to describe: Jhulan Goswami

Despite her veteran status, Goswami expects the Indian captain to remain a dominant force in the sport for another four to five years. She noted that Harmanpreet’s ability to handle high-pressure environments has been the defining factor in India’s recent rise. By ending the long wait for a major global trophy and dominating the domestic franchise circuit, Kaur has set a benchmark for future generations that Goswami believes will be incredibly difficult to surpass.

“What she has done for Indian cricket, for Mumbai Indians, and franchise cricket is phenomenal," Jhulan said at the press conference ahead of Women's Premier League 2026.

“I don’t think anyone can touch her record in the near future. Being the first World Cup winning captain, having two WPL titles, and hopefully many more to come, is extraordinary. The legacy she will leave in the future is hard to describe at this moment because I believe she still has another four to five years of cricket left in her," Jhulan added.

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Jhulan highlighted the deep emotional significance of the team’s World Cup celebrations. She noted that the decision to include legendary former players, such as herself, Mithali Raj, Anjum Chopra, and Reema Malhotra—was a completely spontaneous and heartfelt gesture from the current squad.

According to Goswami, this inclusive celebration bridged generations of Indian cricketers, acknowledging the foundation laid by those who played long before the era of the WPL. She expressed that the sincerity of the moment reflected the strong bond within the cricketing community, showing that the historic triumph was a victory shared by everyone who has contributed to the growth of the women's game in India.

“At that moment, we couldn’t exchange any words; it was pure emotion. I must thank Harman, Smriti (Mandhana), and the entire team for the gesture. It was not planned. We were doing broadcast work and were told by our producer that while they were thanking the crowd, we could ask a question or two. But the way the girls came forward to us and celebrated the moment was unprecedented in Indian cricket or any sport," she added.

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Jhulan Goswami snaps at reporter on wrong Harmanpreet question

But what everyone's attention was when Jhulan stepped in to defend her captain a reporter directed a critical question at Harmanpreet regarding her infamous dismissal in the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup. The reporter incorrectly suggested that Harmanpreet had been run out during the final against England and implied that this specific moment had single-handedly cost India the world title.

Jhulan Goswami immediately intervened to shut down the line of questioning and correct the factual error. She pointed out that the heartbreak in question actually occurred during the semi-final against Australia—not the final against England—and firmly pushed back against the narrative that the captain was to blame for the defeat. Her direct response not only set the record straight but also served as a clear signal that the team management would not tolerate "improper" or poorly researched questions aimed at their players.

"Final pe woh run-out nahin hui thi. Pehle aapka history proper karke aaiye. Phir yeh sawaal kijiye. Sorry to say that. I'm so sorry, it was not she. Some other players and some other time. So, please pehle apna preparation karke aaiye," Jhulan retorted.

In real, it was actually the legendary Mithali Raj who was run out for 17, while opener Punam Raut fought valiantly for 86. Harmanpreet Kaur herself played a crucial role in that match, scoring a steady 51 before being caught in the deep. Despite her resilient knock, India fell just nine runs short of the title, though her performance remains a significant highlight of her career.