In pictures: Snehashish Ganguly and Jhulan Goswami discuss individual journeys; share advice for youngsters at The Park

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Two of Bengal cricket’s biggest names, Snehashish Ganguly and Jhulan Goswami, came together at The Park on the afternoon of June 17 to reflect on cricket and their personal journeys in a conversation organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Indian Women Network (IWN) West Bengal entrepreneurship taskforce. A former Indian captain, Goswami is also the highest wicket-taker in women’s ODIs, while Ganguly, who played first-class cricket for Bengal, is a businessman alongside being the current President of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). Both were in conversation with Shaleni S. Biswas, chairperson of the aforementioned entrepreneurship task force

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“Football, not cricket was my first love, and [Diego] Maradona was my idol,” revealed Goswami, who began watching cricket during the 1992 World Cup. “When I started playing cricket with my friends, I was the only girl in the group.” A turning point for Goswmai came at the Eden Gardens in 1997 when she was a ball girl for the Women’s Cricket World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand: “When I saw the Australian players go on a victory lap, I felt I could play cricket professionally, too.”

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Goswami’s cricketing journey for India began during challenging times for women’s cricket in India. “The Women’s Cricket Association of India used to run women’s cricket back then. They didn’t have a lot of money. It was a difficult time,” noted Goswami, who added: “I knew that I had to do it [play cricket] because of my passion…My family wasn’t very supportive, but it was my grandma who gave me the money to travel and play this sport.”

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“Today, Bengal has 200-plus women cricketers. The way people see women’s cricket has changed completely,” observed Ganguly, who also praised the IPL for transforming Indian cricket as a whole: “The financial security provided by the IPL has changed what sports means as a career. These days cricketers are making lakhs and crores in just their first year while representing India.”

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As part of his advice for budding cricketers, Ganguly said: “Growth requires vision. Embrace the rule of vision, and a grand vision will shape your future. Keep the goal in sight and let it guide you, because ambition and foresight pave the path to enduring success.” Goswami also shared her insights for youngsters: “Let your performance, not your gender, speak for you. Follow your passion and step out of your comfort zone to achieve success. Remember that it’s the dreams you dream in the day that need to come true. So, you’ve got to stay motivated and resilient through it all.”

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The event came to a close with Biswas summing up her thoughts as moderator: “This afternoon was a celebration of the convergence of athleticism and entrepreneurship, recognising that sports can not only forge champions but also nurture visionary business leaders. Mr Ganguly and Ms Goswami epitomise how dedication and strategic acumen propelled them to success in both sports and business, becoming an inspiration for a new era marked by innovation and boundless opportunities.”