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Cricket Players'Her inswingers challenged me as well': Rohit Sharma's special tribute to 'legend' Jhulan Goswami ahead of her swansong
The 39-year-old bowler is the leading wicket-taker in international cricket in a career spanning more than two decades.
Legendary Jhulan Goswami is set to play her last series, 22 years after having made her debut for India. The veteran will be retiring at the end of the three-match ODI series in England, with the Lord's game being her final one. The 39-year-old bowler is the leading wicket-taker in international cricket in a career spanning more than two decades. Also Read | 'I'll give you proper reason': Rohit Sharma explains why Umesh returned after 3 and a half years as Shami's replacement
Having made her International debut in 2002, Jhulan retired from T20s in 2018, and played her last Test in October 2021. She returns to bolster the Indian pace attack one final time in England. The bowling great last played for India during the ODI World Cup in New Zealand in March this year before sustaining a side strain ahead of the final group match. Overall, she has played 12 Tests, 68 T20Is and 201 ODIs including six World Cup appearances.
While the women's team plays its 50-over assignment in England, the Rohit Sharma-led men's side hosts Australia before the hotly-anticipated World T20 next month. Before the first T20I versus Australia, Rohit paid special tribute to Jhulan and revealed how her inswingers troubled him at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru.
"Jhulan Goswami is a legend, she has shown lots of passion for the country, it's an inspiration and learning for all the youngsters in the country - her inswingers has challenged me as well at NCA," said Rohit in the pre-match press conference in Mohali on Sunday.
With Jhulan bidding farewell to international cricket, Indian women's team skipper Harmanpreet Kaur said she wants to give a memorable farewell to the pace veteran.
"When I debuted, she was the captain and it is a great opportunity for me to lead the last ODI she plays. We will be trying to create some great moments for her so that she can take back good memories from it," said Kaur in a press conference earlier this week.
Harmanpreet said nobody can fill Goswami's place, recalling how she used to practise hard. She also mentioned how many players took up the sport looking at her, adding that the team would do its best to make it a special occasion for her.
"She bowls two-three hours, which hardly a few do. She is a great example for all of us. There are many who have started playing by looking at her. Even I looked at how she prepares before games and her mindset before a match is learnt from her. I am lucky to have seen her, worked closely and spent time with her," Kaur said.
"We are talking about it being her last tournament. It would be very special for her and for us. We would try to create some great moments for her so she can go back with some special memories."
