Birthday special: Jhulan Goswami – Five best spells in international cricket

Jhulan Goswami

Jhulan Goswami is the second-half of her 30s, but she hasn’t run out of gas by any stretch of the imagination. She made her international debut way back in 2002 and is on the verge of completing two decades of donning the national jersey. Although she doesn’t play T20Is for India, she has continued playing the other two formats and has kept showing her class with the ball in hand.

Let’s take a look at the five best spells of Jhulan Goswami’s international career 

5/33 against England, Taunton – 2006

Goswami was at her very best in the Taunton Test against the Brits. In the first innings, she finished with figures of 13-4-33-5 and helped India take a first-innings lead of 208 runs after bowling the opposition out for 99. Goswami picked up three wickets at the top after which she came back to take two wickets, including that of opposition skipper Charlotte Edwards.

5/45 against England, Taunton – 2006

In the same match, Jhulan notched another five-wicket haul while the hosts were following on. Yet again, he rid of Edwards, who scored a 223-ball 105 and gave India a run for their money. On the back of her spell, India managed themselves of 98, which they chased down in 29.2 overs. In the second innings, Jhulan bowled as many as 21 maidens out of 36.2 overs.

5/11 against Australia, Vishakhapatnam – 2012

Back in 2012, Jhulan Goswami churned out her best bowling figures in international cricket. In a T20I at Vishakhapatnam, she finished with figures of 3.5-1-11-5 and helped India win the match by eight wickets. After Jhulan wreaked havoc, the Women in Blue bowled Australia out for 89 in 18.5 overs. After she got rid of Alyssa Healy in the third over, there was no stopping her.

5/25 against England, Delhi – 2005

In 2005, Jhulan breathed fire during India’s Only Test against England. In the visitors’ first innings, the speedster finished with bowling figures of 20-10-25-5 and guided India to a 145-run lead. She got three early wickets of Edwards, Laura Newton and Claire Taylor after which she returned to pick two more wickets. In the second innings, Jhulan didn’t perform badly as she got one wicket.

5/16 against England, Silchar – 2005

Back in 2005, Goswami bowled one of the magical spells for India in an ODI against England at the SM Dev Stadium in Silchar. Her figures of 10-3-16-5 guided the Women in Blue to a thumping 10-wicket win. India bowled England out for 50 and chased the target down in 14.5 overs. Goswami ended up getting the Player of the Match award for her magical spell of bowling.