Mumbai 31 August : India women’s cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur has said the team is looking to create “great occasions” for pace bowler Jhulan Goswami who is scheduled to play her final game at Lord’s on the 24th of September.The 39-year-old Jhulan will follow Mithali Raj into retirement, having been the legendary India cricketer announced an afternoon in June and ended an amazing 23-year career.
India will play a white ball match against England which will comprise three T20Is, followed by an equal amount of ODIs with the series ending at Lord’s on the 24th of September.
Harmanpreet who was appointed captain by Mithali Harmanpreet, who took over the captaincy from Mithali, said she is looking forward to an appropriate way to say goodbye to Jhulan.
At the time that Harmanpreet first made her international debut in March 2009, Jhulan was India’s captain.
“When I made my debut, she (Jhulan) was the captain and this is an excellent opportunity to lead the final ODI she plays,” Harmanpreet was quoted by ICC.”We will try to create memorable moments for her to ensure that she can bring back great memories from the event.”
The holder of numerous records, Jhulan has played 12 Tests, 201 ODIs , and 68 T20Is to date.She is the sole bowler who has claimed more than 200 ODI wickets in women’s cricket.In the upcoming series in ODI against England, she will look at adding another scalp to her total of 252 and conclude her career on a high note.
Harmanpreet stated that an athlete of Jhulan’s stature is unbeatable and “is an excellent role model for the rest of us.”
“Her (Jhulan’s) style of playing and (wanting to) perform well in every match is something that no one could beat,” Harmanpreet said.”When I joined the team, she was leading from the front, and I have learned from her.
“Nobody could ever fill her spot.She was a hard worker in her beginning days, and even today I haven’t seen her alteration in the manner in which she practices during training workouts,” Harmanpreet added.
“She bowls for about two hours, which very many people do.She is a wonderful role model to all of us.Many have begun watching her.I was even interested in how she prepares for games and what her mindset before a game is and learned from her.I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet her work closely with her and was able to spend time with her.”
Fixtures India tour of England
1st T20I: September 10th, Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street
2nd T20I: 13 September, County Ground, Derby
3rd T20I: 15 September County Ground, Bristol
1st ODI: 18th September County Ground, Hove
2nd ODI: 21st September St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury
3rd ODI: 24th September, Lord’s, London
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