JHULAN GOSWAMI: The face of Indian bowling

Jhulan Goswami has been one of the best-known faces of women’s cricket in India, and globally, ever since her debut on 6th January 2002 in the national side. The aggressive player has seen a roller coaster journey, in reaching where she is now, as a successful Indian pacer and as a strong independent woman.

 

A biopic on Goswami was recently announced, the first for any women cricketer, which will be directed by Susanta das and tentatively named “Chakdaha Express”.

 

What makes her the most suitable for a biopic?

Her journey was from rags to riches. A journey that was based on the endless struggle to reach a dream, its fulfillment, and passion.

 

A path that has seen lots of hard work, sweat, and determination. A long, tough journey towards becoming “The all-time leading wicket-taker and fastest women bowler in the world” and a journey that culminated with her achieving a record of the 'Highest ODI wicket-taker in the world', that has made every Indian proud and would be cherished in the days to come. She's been a recipient of the Arjuna award, and India’s 4th highest civilian award “Padma Shri”, as well as the ICC women’s cricketer of the year in 2007.

 

Goswami, who is a fitness buff, is an anomaly when pace bowlers are discussed: still going strong at the age of 34, her long career has been sustainable due to the consistency she has been able to maintain throughout her cricket career.

 

She is a guiding force and a role model to all the budding cricketers, the pride of Indian women’s cricket, a cricketer who gives no space or room to batsmen to time their shots and keeps them under her bowling defense. In each match, Jhulan’s spell is crucial to provide the initial breakthrough for the team, as well as simultaneously setting the tone for the rest of the game.

 

From rising amidst a strict patriarchy, that exists in our society even today, to defying her parents to pursue cricket, she's done it all.

 

In a recent interview, Goswami gave her thoughts on a biopic –

“I want this film to be an inspiration to young kids taking the game of cricket as their career. The film is not about making money, but to take the game further. The film will be based in Hindi instead of Bengali, so it can reach every corner of the country including the villages, so that the children from grass-root level will be encouraged to take up the sport” (source : sportstak)

 

There was a huge response from the several cricketers worldwide to this biopic being announced formally:

 

Australia’s southern stars vice-captain, Alex Blackwell, has expressed her wishes and proclaimed that Jhulan was one of the greatest cricketers India has ever produced.

https://twitter.com/alexblackwell2/status/910264971421872128

 

Former cricketer and world cup winner and now commentator, Mel Jones, has taken up to Twitter to share the big announcement.

https://twitter.com/meljones_33/status/910232826900996096

 

Goswami's biopic would be based on women empowerment, and many young girls and ladies out there will be in for an inspiring movie, worth waiting to be watched. It’s a journey spanning over 15 years as an international cricketer and a tireless journey that she had to go through to represent India. It will show the pure passion for cricket, the hurdles that she had to face. And it will give the Indian women’s cricket the much-needed recognition they have been striving for.

 

This movie would bring women's cricket back into the national consciousness, and join the likes of previous movies being made on female sportspeople (like Chak De India, Mary Kom etc). It would also be a way to spread awareness and importance about sports as a part of education from the childhood and will be a significant step in promoting the game.

 

Though such an attempt at recognizing the women cricketers, has come, it is nevertheless a welcome sign for all the present and budding cricketers.

 

On behalf of our entire team, we wish Dr. Jhulan Goswami the best in all her endeavors. We look forward to her biopic.