Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur lauded Jhulan Goswami for an exceptional career ahead of her farewell series in England. Harmanpreet feels that the passion of leading wicket-taker in international cricket is unmatched and “nobody can fill her shoes”.
"She goes to every game with the same kind of passion which is unmatched, nobody can beat that," Harmanpreet told the reporters a day before leaving for white-ball series in England where Goswami will play her final ODI at Lord’s on September 24.
Harmanpreet made her ODI debut in 2009 edition of World Cup against arch-rivals Pakistan. The 33-year-old backed the way Jhulan led from the front.
"When I made my debut she was the captain, it's a great opportunity for me that I would be leading the side when she would be playing her last ODI. When I entered the team, she was the one who was leading from the front. I've learnt a lot from her. Nobody can fill in her shoes.
"She's someone who always puts in the same kind of effort, bowling two-three hours She still puts in the same kind of hard work she used to during her early days... I've never seen her make any changes to her practice regimen." "You hardly see any bowler doing like that, or even at the nets while batting... Nobody can bring that passion she has for cricket.
"As a cricketer and a person, I've learnt a lot from her. She's a great example for all of us. There are many back home who have grown up watching her and then took up the sport."
Jhulan’s last international appearance was in ODI World Cup in New Zealand earlier this year. Mithali Raj-led India got knocked out of the tournament at the group stages. Jhulan sustained a side strain and and did not play against South Africa. She missed the Sri Lanka tour as well. Mithali announced her retirement hours before the squad announcement for Sri Lanka but Jhulan didn’t.
Jhulan has a total of 252 wickets from 201 ODIs, way ahead of any other bowler in the format.
The ODI series will commence on September 18 at County Ground, Hove. The ODI series is also a part of ICC Championship Match. Before the ODI series, the three-T20I series will begin on September 10. India have been in good form of late after finishing as runners-up in Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2022.
