I always called her at low times and she was someone always guiding me – Harmanpreet Kaur lauds Goswami

Indian women’s legend pacer Jhulan Goswami had announced her retirement from international cricket and the series against England was her last assignment for the team India, toward the beginning of the last game, Goswami was congratulated with a keepsake by the Indian set-up.

Indian women’s legend pacer Jhulan Goswami had announced her retirement from international cricket. The series against England was her last assignment for the team India. 

The pace bowler, who has bagged the most wickets across formats in women’s cricket, bowed out of international cricket on a good note, with India winning the ODI against England at Lord’s to clean-sweep the series 3-0.

Toward the beginning of the game, Goswami was congratulated with a keepsake by the Indian set-up. The ECB also celebrated her with a jersey signed by the players. In a touching gesture, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur also let Goswami call the toss.

“Each moment has a lot of emotions,”

said Goswami, to the official broadcaster Sky Sports.

“Lots of effort you have put in. But 2017 World Cup where our team comeback and fought, nobody gave us a [chance] that we were going to play the final. The way we played that tournament was different and from there, women’s cricket in India has slowly and gradually picked up well,”

she added.

However, in the post-match presentation ceremony, Harmanpreet revealed that the legendary cricketer upheld her during great times as well as when she went through a tough time. 

“When I debuted, she was the leader, in my best times, many were supporting me, but even in my rough times, she was the one who supported me. She is just a call away. I wanted to thank her and tell her she is always with us. She is a go-to person, I always called her at low times and she was someone always guiding me.”

“Today whatever we have done I don’t think it was any crime,”

Harmanpreet observed during the post-match press conference.

“It is part of the game and it is an ICC rule and I think we just need to back our player. I’m very happy she was aware of that, and the batter she is taking too long a stride I think. I don’t think she has done something wrong and we just need to back her.”

Harmanpreet also disagreed that the dismissal took some gloss off Goswami’s farewell game.

“I don’t think so, because, as I said, I don’t think we have done any crime. I don’t think we need to talk about that because the first nine wickets were also very important and everybody was working so hard. It was a chase-able total but the way our bowlers bowled and the whole team putting in the effort, there were a lot of things to celebrate other than just talking about the last wicket.”