Women’s cricket great Mithali Raj on Wednesday announced her retirement from all forms of international cricket. The legendary Indian batsman made many records in his 23 year long career. The team for the tour of Sri Lanka was selected soon after the announcement of retirement. Harmanpreet Kaur was made the captain and Smriti Ki Mandhana was appointed as the vice-captain. Apart from this, veteran fast bowler Jhulan Goswami was not selected in the team. Looking at these developments, there are big signs.
The announcement of the new captain and the team selection soon after the 39-year-old Mithali Raj announced abrupt retirement on Thursday, the biggest indication that the selectors may have told both the senior players that they are looking towards the future. Huh. He will not be given a place in the team in future. In such a situation, Mithali has announced to put an end to her career.
After Mithali’s retirement, the discussions about Jhulan intensified. If the selectors have really made up their mind to look ahead to him, then the right-arm fast bowler can also announce his retirement soon. His age is also 39 years. In the year 2002, he made his debut in international cricket with ODI cricket. Earlier, both the players were not selected in the Women’s T20 Challenge tournament.
In the World Cup played in New Zealand earlier this year, Team India could not even reach the semi-finals. After this, in an article written for The Indian Express, former women’s cricketer Diana Edulji said that Jhulan and Mithali’s career should now come to an end. He had said, “I think this must be the end of the illustrious careers of two Indian cricketers – Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami. Jhulan had already said that this would be his last World Cup. You can’t block two places in the playing 11, but you can’t play two inexperienced players in an important match.”
Diana further said, “The time has come for us to prepare young players. I think Mithali and Jhulan’s journey should end here. We say ‘thank you’ to her for the wonderful efforts she made for Indian women’s cricket. Every journey ends somewhere and their destination has arrived.
I will forever cherish bowling to you in domestic matches and at nets. I enjoyed every match we played together and every celebration we had after winning matches. I congratulate you for your brilliant career and thank you for contribution to women’s cricket. @M_Raj03 @BCCIWomen
— Jhulan Goswami (@JhulanG10) June 8, 2022
Jhulan’s emotional tweet- Jhulan Goswami made an emotional tweet on retiring from Mithali. “Ever since we started playing U-19 cricket, we have overcome obstacles in life and on the cricket field. Your affection and support as an ally and as a captain has always propelled me to achieve greater heights. You were fantastic both on and off the field.”
Harman wins – After Mithali Raj’s retirement, there was speculation that either Harmanpreet Kaur or Smriti Mandhana would lead the women’s cricket team in Tests and ODIs. Harman is already the captain of the T20 team, so he was also given the command of ODI and Test team. While Mandhana was made the vice-captain.
Biopic of Jhulan – A film is also being made on veteran fast bowler Jhulan Goswami. Virat Kohli’s wife and actress Anushka Sharma will play his character in the film Chakda Express. The shooting of the film has started. He has worked very hard for this film.