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India's veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami has said that the World Cup is like an Olympics event for her and the girls as they have to wait for four years before taking center stage. Goswami, having served Indian cricket for more than two decades now, has perhaps seen everything in the world of cricket. She has captained India, was selected as the ICC's Woman Cricketer of the Year in 2007, and is the leading wicket-taker in ODI cricket. But what still remains a dream for the 39-year-old is an ODI World Cup title.
India have come close to winning a title two times in the past, in 2005 and 2017. In both instances, Jhulan Goswami was part of the squad, However, the right-arm pacer still chases her childhood dream to lay a hand on the title and do the victory lap as Belinda Clark did in 1997 at Eden Gardens.
"As a cricketer, we didn’t play the Olympics. For us, the Cricket World Cup is an Olympics event. You prepare for four years to reach a certain level and then you just go out, enjoy and express ourselves. Preparation is always there but things have changed because of COVID and all," said Jhulan at an interaction during WINS (Women in News & Sport) Workshop, a programme funded by Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade.
“When I was a budding cricketer, I saw the 1997 World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand at the Eden Gardens as a ball girl. That was the first time I saw women’s cricket in life as Belinda Clark won the trophy and took the victory lap. I think I am chasing that dream from my childhood.
“Two times I was part of the team in a World Cup final but was not able to lift and do what Belinda did in the 1997 World Cup final at Eden Gardens. This time, just go there and try to make sure that individually I will contribute more from my side and I hope to fulfill and tick all those boxes. I am really looking forward to this tournament," added Goswami.
Women's cricket has seen a jump after the 2017 World Cup: Goswami
The former Indian captain is of the opinion that ever since India played the finals of the 2017 World Cup, it has witnessed a jump in terms of mass attraction.
“From the 2017 World Cup final, the growth of women’s cricket has really improved in our country. People have started following, matches are coming on the television on a regular basis and social media has played a big role. That’s a good start for women’s cricket and at this moment, preparation for this World Cup was on for four years after we finished that event in 2017," says Goswami.