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Jhulan Goswami faced Young fans at Fanattic Sports Museum. Only t2 was there

Jhulan Goswami, fresh from the spectacular showing at the ICC Women’s World Cup where India stopped an agonising nine runs short of the champion’s podium, visited the Fanattic Sports Museum in New Town where she met around 140 students from 10 schools. On the sidelines of the event she also met t2 for a quick tete-a-tete. Here is a compilation of the questions she took from t2 and later, the students.

TT Bureau Published 12.10.17, 12:00 AM
Jhulan Goswami shared her story with students at the Fanattic Sports Museum in New Town

Jhulan Goswami, fresh from the spectacular showing at the ICC Women’s World Cup where India stopped an agonising nine runs short of the champion’s podium, visited the Fanattic Sports Museum in New Town where she met around 140 students from 10 schools. On the sidelines of the event she also met t2 for a quick tete-a-tete. Here is a compilation of the questions she took from t2 and later, the students.

When did you give your first autograph?

When I went to South Africa after debuting in the national side, a boy walked up to me and said: “Miss Goswami, I want your autograph please.” That was in 2002, my first international tour for India. I was surprised as there were senior players around and I even got a bit nervous.

Had you practised your autograph style?

Yes, from my childhood. Ma used to scold me for wasting pages in exercise books, saying if I did not do well in studies my signature would have no value. When I called to tell her from South Africa that someone took my autograph, she laughed, thinking I was fibbing!

Jhulan Goswami was handed a portrait drawn by Piyush Kumar Tanti, a student of Assembly of Christ School, Barrackpore. The boy did not make it to the event as he was away playing an inter-school football tournament. His schoolmates handed his work over to Jhulan.

Whose autograph was the first one you took?

P.C. Sorcar (Junior) had come to Chakdah for a five-day programme. I was 14 or 15. His magic show was a big craze. He gave very nice autographs to all of us friends who went up to him.

Did it ever bother you that male players with just a single season of IPL became more famous and had more fans than you?

I play the game with a lot of love. I turn all negativity into positive and carry on. If I do my job with proper dedication I know everything will fall into place.

Any message from a fan or an admirer that left an impression on you?

He was a politician. I will not take his name. At an awards function, while giving me a flower bouquet, he said, “Jhulan, tomar jibonta jyano phuler moto swachchha thake”. I thought about it at night in bed and realised it was a significant wish. Flowers are considered pure enough for us to offer to god. To have a life as pure as a flower would be something. He died the next year but I have not forgotten his words.

Whose message has inspired you the most?

Sometimes Sir (Swapan Sadhu) said something bluntly which charged me up. In fact, if he spoke sweetly it was an indicator that he might not have liked something I did.... My friends inspire me. But it is me who eggs myself on the best. If there is an important series coming up, I tell myself “Let’s start”. That’s enough to get me going.

What about messages from fans?

After coming back from the World Cup, I have had small boys come up to me at events and say things like, “Didi, apni jodi ball koren chhele cricketer-rao bhoy pabe, eto speed apnar” or “Apnader team ta chheleder team keo hariye debe.” Of course, it is not the reality but it is nice to hear them think that way.

You recently met Amitabh Bachchan on the sets of Kaun Banega Crorepati…

Yes! It was huge! Seven of us went — Mithali (Raj), Poonam (Raut), Harman(preet Kaur), Smriti (Mandhana), Deepti (Sharma), Veda (Krishnamurthy) and me.

Is he taller than you?

That was the first thing I checked! Yes, he is taller. I always thought I would meet him some day. Finally the chance came. After shaking hands with him, I did not let anyone else touch my hands for a long time! I wanted to cherish that touch. Initially I simply stared at him. Is this the man we used to see in Shahenshah, Agneepath, Deewaar, Black…? All of us were tense about being in the hot seat in front of him. But he made us feel at ease by cracking jokes. He is so humble and down to earth. He commended me on my bowling in the World Cup and asked if I used to steal money from my father as a child. I admitted I did but only to contribute to the funds to buy a ball. Otherwise the boys would not let me play.  

What is your impression of the Fanattic Sports Museum?

I had seen the museum at Lord’s when I toured London for the first time. Who knew a museum exclusively for sports will come up in our own backyard? The Lord’s museum took my (ICC World Cup) final jersey. I am giving my semi-final jersey here (the one in which she scalped the Aussie skipper Meg Lanning with what was described as the ball of tournament). I hope this museum becomes bigger and better.

Talk us through that Meg Lanning delivery...

In January, just before the World Cup, I was injured. I didn’t even know if I could play. I was ruled out of the Sri Lanka tour. Even in the World Cup, I did not do well in the first two matches and I told our coach Tushar (Arothe) that he could drop me. My World Cup journey started from the Pakistan match. I realised I should not put pressure on myself thinking I must take wickets. Every day I started counting how many balls I was bowling in the right area and even asked the coach to call a no ball if I wasn’t.

Meg Lanning likes to play square of the wicket — short-arm pulls, drives over cover… I decided to bowl at three quarters length and give her no room. I kept a gully as soon as she came in so she could not take a single. I knew if I could get her early that would put their batting line-up under pressure. That is what happened.

Jhulan with Amitabh Bachchan on the sets of Kaun Banega Crorepati 9

What was going through your mind when you reached the ground for the finals?

Most of our girls were playing for the first time in front of a 20,000 crowd. They were nervous. I kept telling myself: “Today is your day. You have to set an example for the others.” I was singing a Rabindrasangeet, Tumi robe nirobe, while I was fielding on the boundary line between overs. My sole aim was not to give away runs, especially as they were scoring off the opposite end.

How do you prepare before a tournament?
(Ishan Karmakar, Class XI, St. Joseph and Mary School, New Alipore)

We watch video recordings of the opposition’s matches. The mind plays a big role. If you are mentally strong you can achieve your goals. I read Swami Vivekananda’s books and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s Wings of Fire to motivate myself. I also do meditation to control my nerves.

How does a bowler increase pace?
(Debaditya Bhattacharya, Class X, HM Education Centre, Hindmotor)

You need a physical trainer and a good diet. The training will build up your stamina. You also need to learn the technique for correct arm action. Speed will gradually increase.

Why does women’s cricket face so much discrimination?
(Solanki Saha, Class IX, Heritage Academy High School, Howrah)

Most men’s matches are televised. Ours are not. We do not go on as many tours as the boys do. So people did not know about women’s cricket. Even in a house, a boy gets more opportunities than a girl. So the mindset has to change. If we keep performing well in ICC tournaments things will change.

Sudeshna Banerjee
Pictures: B. Halder

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