Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jan 8: India women’s cricket captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s achievements, including winning the Women’s ODI World Cup and multiple Women’s Premier League (WPL) titles, have made her captaincy record “untouchable”, former India pacer Jhulan Goswami said on Wednesday.
Praising her longtime teammate, Jhulan said the 36-year-old still has another four to five years of cricket left and will continue to contribute significantly to Indian cricket.
“What she has done for Indian cricket, for Mumbai Indians and franchise cricket is phenomenal. I don’t think anyone can touch her record in the near future,” said Jhulan, who is Mumbai Indians’ bowling coach and team mentor.
“She is the first Indian women’s captain to win a World Cup, has already won two WPL titles, and hopefully many more will come. The legacy she will leave will be very difficult to describe, because I believe she still has 4–5 years of cricket left,” she added.
Harmanpreet recently ended India’s long wait for an ICC title in women’s cricket by leading the team to an ODI World Cup triumph at home, having earlier guided Mumbai Indians to WPL titles.
Jhulan also recalled the emotional moment when the Indian team celebrated the World Cup victory with former players, including Mithali Raj, Anjum Chopra and Reema Malhotra.
“That moment was not planned. It was pure emotion. We were doing broadcast work and were told we might ask a question, but the way the girls came forward and celebrated with us was something Indian sport has rarely seen,” she said.
Harmanpreet will lead defending champions Mumbai Indians in the fourth edition of the WPL, with Australia’s Lisa Keightley taking over as head coach from England’s Charlotte Edwards.
Jhulan said Keightley would continue MI’s philosophy of fearless cricket. “That mindset started with Charlotte, and Lisa brings the same approach. We want to play fearless cricket,” she said.
She also said retaining most of their core players has made Mumbai Indians a strong franchise. “From last year’s final XI, we brought back nine players. That continuity is very important because these players have performed well and bring great value to the team,” Jhulan noted.
Jhulan backed MI spinner Saika Ishaque to bounce back after a difficult phase, saying fitness issues and opponents analysing her bowling affected her performance after an impressive debut season in 2023.
“These things happen. In the first season, she surprised everyone. Later, teams planned better against her and she also had some fitness niggles,” she explained.
Jhulan agreed with the view that Indian domestic players are now competing strongly with international stars in the WPL.
“In the first season, domestic players were not used to the pressure, crowds and fitness levels required. Over time, they have improved a lot and reduced the gap with international players,” she said.