Birthday special: Jhulan Goswami – Top 3 spells in international cricket
One of the best cricketers to have graced the field of Indian cricket, pacer Jhulan Goswami announced her retirement after serving her nation for more than two decades. One of the legends of the game, Goswami had the ability to make the ball do the talking. An opposition batter hitting her for fours and sixes during her spell used to be a rare sight during a game.
She ended her international career on a high note as, on the day of her last international match, the Women in Blue defeated England in the third match of the ODI series and lifted the trophy after winning the series 3-0. The entire team bid a dream farewell to the pacer as she finished her career as the leading wicket-taker in women’s ODIs, with 255 wickets to her name. As she turns 40, let us have a look at some of her finest performances in international cricket.
5/25 vs England, November 2005
Though India have played very few Test matches, Jhulan Goswami has been a part of 12 Test matches. She registered her best bowling figures of 5/25 in the red-ball format during a game against England back in 2005. After India scored 289 runs in the first innings, her five-wicket haul helped India restrict England to 154. Though the game ended in a draw, Goswami ended with six wickets from that match.
6/31 vs New Zealand, July 2011
This one would be a memorable game for the tall pacer. Though she bowled her career-best ODI figures that day, India ended up on the losing side. While bowling in the first innings, Goswami’s name was on everyone’s mind as she wreaked havoc by storming into New Zealand’s batting lineup. Of the eight wickets that fell, Goswami picked up six as she registered the figures of 6/31. But unfortunately, India could not chase the 202-run target set by the White Ferns.
5/11 vs Australia, March 2012
For years, one of India’s biggest rivals has been the Australian team. Almost every match between India and Australia ends in a thriller and is a treat for the fans to watch. This game was special for the Indian side as the Women in Blue defeated the mighty Australians in a T20I match in the best way possible, courtesy of Jhulan Goswami who registered 5/11 in 3.5 overs to dish-out Australia for a meagre 89 runs in 18.5 overs. The Indian batters chased down the target with sheer ease as India registered a magnificent eight-wicket win.
