Indian fast-bowling legend Jhulan Goswami said not winning a World Cup for the country is her only regret from an otherwise rich playing career at the highest level of the game.
The 39-year-old will close in on her illustrious stint as India player on September 24 at Lord’s, with the third and final ODI against England. Already retired from Tests and T20Is, she is set for her farewell encounter in the 50-over version as well.
The great right-arm quick, who boasts of most wickets in women’s ODI cricket, said her only regret is not being able to clinch a major ICC trophy for the nation, calling it something that hurts her.
“If we would have won one of those [two World Cup finals], it would have been great for Team India and women’s cricket. That is the ultimate goal for every athlete,”
Goswami told the press prior to her Lord’s finale.
“When you put so much hard work, you prepare for four years and if you win the trophy, it is a dream come true. Unfortunately we played three finals including T20 [World Cup in 2020] but were not able to win the final. It has hurt feelings and that is one regret.”
Heading into her final encounter, Goswami has taken 253 wickets in her 202 ODIs for India, averaging 22.10 with an excellent economy rate of 3.37. She has featured in multiple World Cup campaigns for India, including five in the 50-over game throughout her two-decade-long career. The closest she came to lifting the coveted crown was in 2005 and 2017 when the Indian team made the final of the quadrennial event.
Coming back to Lord’s, Goswami would’ve had a painful reminder of India’s nine-run loss to England in the marquee final five years back. India had the match in their grasp, but an untimely collapse under pressure meant they had to settle with their most painful defeat to date.
On a personal front, though, Goswami’s sunset in playing capacity hasn’t coincided with a dip in her performances. The legend has been leading the pack just as well as before, with 58 wickets in her 39 ODIs from the end of the 2017 World Cup at 22.58 per piece.
