As the AVs documenting the rise and rise of cricket icons Jhulan Goswami and Mithali Raj played out at the Taj Bengal ballroom, there was a lump in the throat. Goosebumps too. Here were two cricket icons with tons of records between them and yet so unsung, finding their spotlight just now. Stories of grit, spirit, passion and the never-ending quest for excellence — that’s what Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami narrated at Ficci Ladies Organisation (FLO) Kolkata’s Inspirational Innings. t2 listened in. 

In our country people believe in dhamaka

Jhulan: Before the World Cup (2017, where England won by nine runs) started, when we were playing the qualifying rounds, back home people didn’t think that we were going to play the World Cup final. We also didn’t believe 100 per cent that we were going to play the World Cup final… we started to believe that we could go into top four at least, later… in between the situation was not in our control… we had lost two crucial matches back-to-back… South Africa and Australia. 

The New Zealand match was the most important match for us. That day the way we performed as a team, made us believe that we could beat Australia in the semi-finals also. We knew if we played as a team, no one could beat us. We had that confidence… this was one World Cup where we didn’t depend entirely on Mithali (Raj, captain). Every match, different players took charge to perform and win the match for us. 

The World Cup final was the ultimate dream. The 2013 World Cup was nightmarish for us… we finished in the bottom seven. After that women’s cricket was in a very turbulent situation. From that low to the 2017 World Cup final, a lot of effort had gone into it. We always believed that we had the talent but we needed to collectively play as a team. 

In our country people believe in dhamaka. If we want to promote women’s cricket in our country, we have to do well in ICC (International Cricket Council) events… then we can motivate the new generation to take this sport professionally. That thing was not happening earlier. 

London, July 23, 2017

Mithali: For me the World Cup was more important because I knew in all practicality that this would be the last World Cup that I would represent India in. I wanted to enjoy and absorb every moment of being in the finals, leading India.
When I came to the ground, I was nervous, unlike in the earlier matches. It was the World Cup finals and everyone wanted to do well. I was looking forward to taking some confidence from my teammates. But I saw everyone was very nervous. The girls were hardly communicating with each other. I just wanted to make the best of that day.

Jhulan: I was enjoying it because every day I had dreamt of that day. I was enjoying a fully-packed Lord’s. The World Cup final was a big day for all of us. I used to sing on the boundary line to release my pressure... Purano shei diner katha.… That’s my favourite Rabindrasangeet, or Tumi robe nirobe. I could see from the boundary line that Mithali’s face was different, her body language was different... I did not want to go and say ‘do this and that’ and disturb her. In a final, you just have to follow your instincts.

I knew my spell was important. I had to bowl dot balls. I was trying to create pressure from my side. Just before the finals, I did not bowl in the nets. I was bowling on a side wicket to check that bounce. The wicket looked flat to me. I realised if I tried much, I would go for runs. So, I had to restrict myself. But we were so close, yet so far.

You got to move on

Mithali: After the match, we got the team together. We were so close, that’s why you feel so emotional. In 2005, we lost it one-sided… so, it didn’t probably pinch me that much. It was a pain that was so excruciating. I didn’t know what the future was… when you lose so close, you always think of the ifs and buts. At the end of the day, sports teaches you that you got to move on. There is always the next day. We had a team dinner by the Indian embassy and we had to plaster that plastic smile (laughs)… after the red eyes and tears, we had to go with a smile on our faces. The next day none of the girls were out of their room… the girls probably did not sleep at night. 

When we came back to India, the kind of reception we got, I guess it overshadowed that sadness that we had carried from England to India… that things would be just as normal as they were earlier, but the way people lined up outside the airport early in the morning to receive the team... I was overwhelmed by the response. 

The making

Mithali: I wasn’t (a perfectionist) in the beginning. My mother made sure I stuck to a timetable. Also, the coach I was under, Sampath Kumar, he is someone who has taught to me to write a journal, to believe in being punctual… I guess it comes naturally when you are trying to compete to be the best because I was competing with the Ranji Trophy players when I was hardly 11-12 years of age. Then you start observing how they do it and try to be perfect. 

We were under Women’s Cricket Association of India earlier. We were travelling by reserved trains; most of our tournaments were not very organised. Depending on the sponsorship deals that the secretary of the state got… if he got a good amount, then we were well taken care of… otherwise we managed in hostels or school classrooms. We played some quality matches in parks and also played on matting wickets. It was difficult. 

As a young kid, it is a team game… you don’t have your parents around… you are travelling and trying to adjust with whatever facilities you have been given. In winter you have to have bath at 5 in the morning, sharing one toilet with 15 girls and you don’t have hot water. That’s how we grew up. If you had to put the current team members through that, I am sure they won’t be able to adjust. We have been part of that phase and I still enjoy travelling by train. We might travel business class today, but I guess we don’t forget our roots and that’s what made us so strong. I would try to use one bat for the whole season or make do with torn gloves. Those days have given us a strong foundation to value what we have now.

I was the ball girl

Jhulan: I lived in Chakdah, which is quite far from the city. From my family, no one has ever, till today, participated in any kind of sports. I take part in other sports also. We used to live in this small place and in the backyard we used to play a lot of tennis-ball cricket with my cousins. Earlier I used to be the ball girl for them. Whenever the ball would go to the boundary, I would fetch it for them. I’d be a stop-gap fielder. That’s how I started to play cricket.

One day my cousin asked me to bowl. When I bowled, he was taken aback by my action. I said I had picked it up by observing them. During Durga Puja, I wouldn’t buy new clothes because I wanted a pair of spikes. But if you are focused, these things hardly matter. I believe those days taught me to value the small things of life.

Text: Saionee Chakraborty