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Gender

Female

Birthday

25 November

Location

West Bengal, India

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Jhulan Goswami

Biography

Jhulan Nishit Goswami, born on November 25, 1982, in Chakdaha, West Bengal, is an undisputed legend of Indian and world cricket. Known for her relentless pace, pinpoint accuracy, and remarkable longevity, she holds the distinction of being one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of women's cricket, earning her the moniker "Chakdaha Express" after her hometown.

 

 

Early Life and Entry into Cricket

Goswami's journey to cricketing stardom began in humble surroundings. Growing up in a middle-class family, she initially had a passion for football. However, watching the 1992 Cricket World Cup and later witnessing Australian batter Belinda Clark in action during the 1997 Women's Cricket World Cup ignited her interest in the sport. With no proper cricket facilities in Chakdaha, she embarked on a daily commute to Kolkata to pursue her cricketing dreams, demonstrating an early commitment and resilience that would define her career.

 

 

Illustrious International Career

Jhulan Goswami made her international debut for India in 2002, playing her first ODI and Test matches against England. From the outset, her height (5 ft 11 in) and ability to generate genuine pace set her apart. Over two decades, she became the backbone of India's bowling attack across all three formats.

 

Her career is replete with records and milestones:

  • Leading Wicket-Taker in ODIs: Goswami holds the record for the most wickets in Women's One Day Internationals (WODIs), a testament to her consistency and wicket-taking ability over a prolonged period. She was the first woman cricketer to reach the 200-wicket and 250-wicket mark in ODIs.
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  • Most Wickets in World Cups: She is also the highest wicket-taker in the history of Women's ODI World Cups.
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  • All-Rounder Contribution: While primarily known for her bowling, Goswami was also a capable lower-order batter, contributing crucial runs and even scoring half-centuries in both Tests and ODIs. She is one of only a handful of players to achieve the rare feat of scoring 1000 runs, taking 50 wickets, and grabbing 50 catches in ODIs.
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  • Captaincy: She captained the Indian team in 25 ODIs and 18 T20 Internationals, leading by example with her performances and tactical acumen. She played a pivotal role in India's first-ever Test series win in England in 2006-07.
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Her final international appearance came in September 2022, retiring at Lord's after a storied 20-year career.

 

 

Awards and Recognition

Jhulan Goswami's immense contributions to cricket have been widely acknowledged with numerous prestigious awards and honors:

  • ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year: 2007 (the first Indian woman to receive this award).
  • Arjuna Award: 2010 (India's second-highest sporting honor).
  • Padma Shri: 2012 (India's fourth-highest civilian award).
  • M.A. Chidambaram Trophy for Best Women Cricketer: 2011.
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Beyond the awards, her dedication and relentless pursuit of excellence have made her a global icon, inspiring countless young girls in India and around the world to take up cricket.

 

 

Post-Retirement and Legacy

Since she retired from international cricket, Jhulan Goswami has continued to contribute to the sport. She has taken on coaching and mentoring roles, notably as the bowling coach and mentor for the Mumbai Indians in the Women's Premier League (WPL) and as a mentor for the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Women's Caribbean Premier League (WCPL).

 

 

A biopic titled "Chakda 'Xpress," starring Anushka Sharma, is being made on her life, further cementing her status as a cricketing legend whose inspiring journey from a small town to the pinnacle of international cricket will continue to motivate future generations.