India skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who made her debut under Jhulan Goswami in 2009, said the veteran pacer’s passion was unmatched and that “nobody can fill her shoes”.
The 39-year-old Jhulan from Nadia’s Chakdah is the leading wicket-taker in international cricket in a career spanning more than two decades. She is set to retire after the third ODI against England at Lord’s on September 24. On the eve of the team’s departure, Harmanpreet paid a glowing tribute to her former captain.
“She goes to every game with the same kind of passion which is unmatched, nobody can beat that. “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... I’ve learnt a lot from her. Nobody can fill in her shoes,” the 33-year-old said at a media conference here.
“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. “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,” Harmanpreet added.
Jhulan last played for India during the ODI World Cup in New Zealand in March before sustaining a side strain ahead of the final group game against South Africa and missed the Sri Lanka tour in July. Debuting on the international stage in 2002, the pacer — who has a world record 252 wickets to her name from 201 ODIs — called it quits from T20s in 2018, and played her last Test in October last year.
India’s white-ball tour of England starts with three T20Is from September 9, followed by as many ODIs at Hove (September 18), Canterbury (September 21) and finally, Lord’s. Harmanpreet said they will do their best to make the Lord’s ODI a special occasion for Jhulan. “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.”
