Jhulan Goswami, India’s veteran fast bowler, is set to retire from international cricket after the third and final ODI of the tour of England on September 24 at Lord’s. With 352 wickets across formats, she will leave the game as the highest wicket-taker in women’s internationals.
Goswami, 39, was named to India’s squad for the three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) on Friday, after missing the previous 50-over series in Sri Lanka in July. It is understood that team management spoke with Goswami about looking ahead and developing a pool of young fast bowlers who can play across formats.
Goswami last represented India at the ODI World Cup in New Zealand in March of this year. According to a board official, the BCCI wanted to give her a “proper farewell” because “Jhulan couldn’t say goodbye on the field” after suffering a side strain ahead of India’s final group game against South Africa. She hasn’t played a T20I since 2018, and her last Test match will be in October 2021.
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Goswami was scheduled to tour Sri Lanka in July but was unable to do so due to physical limitations. She only regained full fitness in mid-July and was selected for the England tour after receiving medical clearance from the National Cricket Academy.
Goswami is keeping her options open for the inaugural women’s IPL, which is set to take place in March 2023. She is also in talks with a men’s IPL team about a mentoring role, and she will play and mentor the Bengal women’s team during the upcoming domestic season.
Goswami made her international debut as a 19-year-old in March 2002, and she went on to play 12 Tests, 68 T20 internationals, and 201 ODIs over the next two decades. She holds the record for most ODI wickets (252) and has played in six 50-over World Cups.
On September 10, 13, and 15, India will play three T20Is in England, followed by three ODIs as part of the ICC Women’s Championship on September 18, 21, and 24.
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