Over the course of two decades, Jhulan Goswami became a towering figure in Indian women’s cricket, leading the pace attack with unmatched consistency and skill. Her retirement in 2022 left a void that the national team continues to grapple with, especially in the fast-bowling department.
Goswami’s legacy is not just her record-breaking 255 ODI wickets or her status as one of the fastest bowlers in the women’s game, but also her ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation, both through her work with the Cricket Association of Bengal and her mentorship role at Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League.
As India prepares for a challenging tour of England, the return of opener Shafali Verma to the T20 squad is seen as a significant advantage. The spotlight turns onto her, whose return to India’s T20 squad ahead of the England tour is a testament to her remarkable resurgence. After being dropped last November due to inconsistency, Shafali dominated the domestic circuit, leading Haryana to the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy quarterfinals and topping the run charts with a strike rate above 150.
Her performances for Delhi Capitals in the WPL, where she was the franchise’s leading run-scorer and fourth overall in the tournament, further cemented her claim for a national recall. “She has done well for her state Haryana and also for Delhi Capitals and her call-up to the Indian team is well deserved,” noted Jhulan Goswami.
After being dropped from the Indian team following a disappointing run against New Zealand in October 2024, Shafali Verma set out to reinvent her game. She returned to domestic cricket with determination, quickly establishing herself as the leading run-scorer in both the Senior Women’s One Day Trophy and the Senior Women’s One Day Challenger Trophy. As captain of Haryana in the One Day Trophy, Shafali amassed 527 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 152.31 and an average of 75.29, signaling her intent to make a comeback.
Her resurgence continued as she led India A in the Challenger Trophy, scoring 414 runs at an average of 82.80 and a strike rate of 145.26. Shafali’s form carried into WPL 2025, where her explosive batting saw her score 304 runs at a strike rate of 152.74, making her the fourth-highest run-getter in the tournament. This consistent domestic dominance highlighted her readiness for another shot at the international stage.
Goswami believes Shafali’s aggressive batting and hunger to prove herself again will be crucial for India’s prospects, especially in English conditions where she has previously excelled. “Her strokeful batting not only helped her make an impact but will also help India get good starts,” Goswami noted, emphasizing the positive influence Shafali’s partnership with Smriti Mandhana has had at the top of the order.
Shafali Verma has featured in 29 ODIs so far, scoring 644 runs at an average of 23 and a strike rate of 83.20. Her highest score is an unbeaten 71, and she has registered four half-centuries. Having already played in English conditions; her experience could have been valuable for the squad on this tour.
Goswami is clear in her view that Shafali should have been included in the ODI squad as well, particularly with the World Cup on the horizon. She recalls Shafali’s debut at 15, when the youngster stunned everyone with her ability to dominate seasoned bowlers. “She has that X-factor and should have been there in the India ODI team as well. She is an impactful player whose innings in any format can change the course of the match.”
With key pacers like Pooja Vastrakar, Renuka Thakur, and Kashvee Gautam sidelined due to injuries, India faces a shortage of experienced fast bowlers for the England series. Goswami acknowledges the setback, particularly Renuka’s absence, but sees it as an opportunity for emerging players to step up. She highlights Amanjot’s progress since her return, suggesting that the current scenario could pave the way for new stars to emerge if they seize their chances.
Fielding remains an area where Goswami feels further improvement is needed, despite recent progress. She points to sharp fielders like Radha Yadav and Jemimah Rodrigues as examples but insists that the young team must strive for greater consistency to compete with top sides like Australia and England.
On leadership, Goswami is effusive in her praise for Harmanpreet Kaur, both as a captain and a batter. “She has been a great leader and inspiring too. MI winning two WPL titles says it all for her captaincy as well as her batting swagger,” Goswami said, adding that Harmanpreet’s work ethic and passion for winning are vital assets as India chases its elusive first ICC trophy under her stewardship.
As Indian women’s cricket embarks on a new chapter, the influence of legends like Jhulan Goswami remains deeply felt—both in the standards they set and the wisdom they continue to share with the next generation.
(Quotes sourced from Hindustan Times)
