It had rained all night in Kalyani where the senior West Bengal women's team is

undergoing their preparatory camp. The incessant downpour confined them indoors
and a wet outfield forced authorities to call off the scheduled inter-squad game
over the weekend.
"Bold of you to brave this weather and come all the way," Jhulan Goswami greets
me at the entrance of the Bengal Cricket Academy Grounds, a state-of-the-art res
idential academy tucked 60 kilomoteres away from the main city of Kolkata.
At 33, with nearly 15 years of international cricket under her belt, I had expec
ted her to be more receptive to the idea of sharing her story, if it isn't a rou
tine already. Her reluctance took me by surprise.
"Could you find a cab easily?" she continues inquiring further.
I nodded, choosing not to disclose the fact that the driver conveniently took me
to a nearby football stadium instead, assuming what else could bring a journali
st so far into the interiors of the state.
Among many things that stood out during the chat with Goswami, her particular re
mark about Sachin Tendulkar's hand in inspiring the future generations, very iro
nically, reminded me of the unwanted halt during my ride.
"In our generation, obviously, there was only one who amplified this passion for
the game of cricket in our country and that's Sachin Tendulkar - the way he ent
ertained the whole nation and motivated people. I believe, he played a part in e
verybody's life who went on to take up cricket professionally," she noted, with
utmost respect for one of her cricketing heroes growing up.
Wrapping up 90 minutes later, Goswami guides me to the dining room for lunch. We
were the last ones to arrive. I apologize for making her wait longer than usual
.
"Is your jersey number 25 because of the birthday?" I ask, as we wait for the ca
b she arranged to take me back to Kolkata.
"I've changed it only about a year ago," she pauses, from mindless channel-surfi
ng on the television. "It was 10 earlier. You'd laugh if I tell you why."
Tendulkar, I'd already assumed.
"Maradona wore 10!I'm a very passionate fan." Piece of advice from a superstitio
us well-wisher forced Goswami to make the switch she otherwise never intended to
.
Her answer, more importantly, vindicated the driver's innocent assumption earlie
r in the day. I couldn't resist asking what made her choose cricket over footbal
l, having grown up idolizing Diego Maradona.
"Back then, we had to wait four years to watch another football (World Cup) matc
h on television. In between, cricket was the filler."
***
"In a country where nobody wants to bend their back, Jhulan has inspired the nex
t generation and carved paths for the future of women's cricket in India."
Chapter 2: 'No. 1 trainee'
Her unparalleled commitment towards the game has earned Goswami unprecedented su
ccess in a glorious career spanning over 14 years at the highest level, and make

s her a unique chapter of Indian cricket's history.

At 33, when most women cricketers are contemplating their impending retirement,
unfrazzled Goswami continues as the undisputed leader of India's pace attack.
The fastest bowler in women's circuit since Cathryn Fitzpatrick's retirement in
2007, Goswami is well on her way to also dethrone the Australian as the highest
wicket-taker in ODI history.
At the peak of her career, ICC rewarded her with Women's Cricketer of the Year a
ward in 2007, soon after which she was elevated to the captain's post in the nat
ional team.
Tad late, but Goswami had another feather added to her decorated cap when the Go
vernment of India recognized her contribution to women's cricket and conferred h
er with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2010, and the Padma Shri two years later
.
That in another few games an Indian pacer will occupy the hot seat in the list o
f all-time greats speaks volumes about the hard yards she's put in, in a land th
at showers all the adulation on their batsmen. An unwavering line and length, ap
art from her pace, remains the most potent weapon in her repertoire.
"In a country where nobody wants to bend their back, Jhulan has inspired the nex
t generation and carved paths for the future of women's cricket in India." Forme
r Indian captain Purnima Rau couldn't have been more honest in her assessment of
who she calls her 'No. 1 trainee'.