After conceding the T20I series, the Indian women’s cricket team came back strongly to keep the England side at bay and win the first of the three-match ODI series by 7 wickets. The ODI series special for so many reasons for the Indian team, mainly because this will be the legendary pacer Jhulan Goswami’s swansong in international cricket.
Smriti Mandhana, who continued her sensational form with the bat in 2022 leading India to a comfortable win in the ODI series opener, dedicated her Player of the match medal to Goswami, saying that whatever the Women in Blue will do in these matches will be for the 39-year-old pacer. Speaking at the post-match presentation, Mandhana said, “I would like to mention that this series is for Jhulu di (Jhulan Goswani). This is dedicated to her, he way she bowled was amazing. Whatever the Indian team is gonna do in this series will be for Jhulu di.”
Goswami, who was playing a competitive game after 6 months, first time since the Women’s World Cup 2022 in March, didn’t seem like went away from the game as she didn’t let the England batters get away in the powerplay. In her opening spell, Goswami bowled two maidens out of five, got the big wicket of opener Tammy Beaumont and was still clocking in excess of 110 km/hr. Goswami finished with a spell of 1/20, which went a long way in India restricting England to 227/7. All-rounder Deepti Sharma was also the pick of the bowlers taking 2/33 in her 10 overs.
Mandhana, who seemed to be batting on a completely different surface was at it again as she just took off and couldn’t stop scoring. In her own admission, ODI cricket comes naturally to her and although she missed a well-derserved century by nine runs, this 91 paved the way along with Yastika Bhatia’s 50 (47) and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s unbeaten 74 for India’s win.
The Women in Blue will hope to continue the momentum and give a fitting farewell to Goswami , who will play her final ODI at Lord’s on Saturday, September 24.
