What did Sourav Ganguly say about Jhulan Goswami?

Why did Jhulan Goswami urge the India coach to drop her after West Indies game?

cab annual prog at netaji indoor stadium (12)
West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and CAB President Sourav Ganguly felicitating Jhulan Goswami today. Image Source: XtraTime

Kolkata: The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) today felicitated India’s star bowler and Bengal’s pride Jhulan Goswami with a special award at the Netaji Indoor Stadium. Jhulan bowled brilliantly for the Women in Blue to help her side to reach the final of the recently concluded ICC Women’s World Cup.

Former India skipper and CAB president Sourav Ganguly was in all praise for the lanky pacer.” She always inspires us. During my cricketing career, I always thought that how a women around 6ft 2inch can bowl with this kind of pace,” said Ganguly.

“She came to practice all the way from Chakdaha, to Kolkata which shows her dedication and love for the game. When I played cricket for India my mother used to watch only my matches on TV, but during this World Cup I saw that she was sitting and watching India’s matches and praying to god for the country. I think Jhulan has shown the world, what she is capable off by claiming the most number of wickets in the Women’s ODI cricket.”

Honourable Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee said,” You made Bengal proud in front of the World. I know that you and the Women’s Indian cricket team would definitely win the 2019 ICC T-20 World Cup.”

While receiving the felicitation Jhulan Goswami today said she was so upset with her bowling in the first two matches in the recently concluded ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 and she asked her coach to “drop” her from the playing XI.

After listening to this, coach Tushar Arothe backed the star pacer and she also received total support from India skipper Mithali Raj and later in the tournament Jhulan bowled brilliantly to lead the side to the final.

“I was very disappointed of my show in the early stage of the World Cup,” she said while she was felicitated by chief minister Mamata Banerjee at Cricket Association of Bengal’s annual awards ceremony at the Netaji Indoor Stadium today.

“After the match against West Indies, I told my coach Tushar, ‘I’m not bowling properly and you can drop me next time.’ But he said ‘No, I want you to be there and lead the bowling attack.”

Jhulan worked over time with Mithali and went on to produce a gem of a delivery to get the  Australia skipper Meg Lanning for a duck in their splendid 36-run win to oust the defending champions in the semi-final.

“Australia match was important for us as they were the best team in the world.”

Talking about the delivery, she said: “Lanning was one of the best cricketers and very strong square of the wicket. I wanted to make sure to bowl in right areas. I told Mithali that I would bowl to her like I would to Lanning and she would give me feedbacks. Luckily everything went in our way.”

Jhulan was in fact apprehensive of the facilities when she shifted base to Kolkata from Mumbai in 2005-06.

“The first question that came to my mind was whether I would get the same kind of opportunity here… Preparation was always very important for me. Result won’t come without preparation.

“Most of the time we had the opportunity to practice alongside the men cricketers in Mumbai. I could bowl at the likes of Sameer Dighe, Praveen Amre when they played for Air India at one point of time.

“But now I’ve no hesitation in saying that I’m thankful to CAB for the way they have supported women’s cricket for last 10 years and created a platform. I am indebted to them hope many more players come up in future.

“For last 10 years whenever I requested the officials always provided me with practice facilities. I’m thankful to CAB officials and curator,” she said as she was handed a cheque of Rs 10 lakh and a plaque by the Chief Minister and CAB president Sourav Ganguly.

Mamata also felicitated the Bengal Under-19 team who became the all India champions winning the Cooch Behar Trophy earlier this year. Bengal defeated Delhi to win the title after 19 years.

CAB also honoured veteran coach Palash Nandy with ‘Kartick Bose Lifetime Achievement Award’. Nandy was the coach of the Ranji triumphant 1989-90 side when Ganguly made his domestic debut.

“I can never forget this honour. Two persons have contributed immensely towards this — my mother and coach Kalyan Biswas,” he said while receiving a cheque of Rs 2 lakh.

The CAB is thinking of adding women’s cricket in Vision 20-20 programme for the development of cricket. On being asked about the matter Jhulan said,” This is a very good initiative. If the CAB takes a great initiative like this it will be great for women’s cricket. I will talk to Abhishek Dalmiya regarding this matter.”