Better To Have 2021 World Cup On Time Than It Getting Delayed: Jhulan Goswami

Veteran women’s cricketer Jhulan Goswami is putting all the hard yards by training at home itself to keep herself in good stead for the 2021 Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. With the sporting calendar in total shambles due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, cricketers have to resort to other means of passing this time. Due to the global crisis, players would also be under pressure to buck up and get in shape rapidly once everything resumes.

Also Read: ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifiers Postponed Due To COVID-19

The 37-year old, who is the leading wicket-taker in women’s ODIs, would probably bow out of the game at the end of next year’s competition. But her plans to stay in form hasn’t been as planned due to the outbreak of the deadly disease. Moreover, the tournament is slated to begin in January 2021. She gave up T20Is in August 2018.

Speaking of the same, Jhulan admits that it is not going to be easy from here on as they haven’t been practising much in the ground or playing any games leading to the competition. It is crucial to play some preliminary matches as it helps in finding the correct combination.

But she is keen to make up for the lost days and play as many games and training more sincerely as possible to find the correct bunch of players. According to her, it is better to have the tournament on time than having it delayed.

“It’s not going to be easy as from here to the next year, there aren’t many months left. And we haven’t even been able to go to the ground for training. We also haven’t been playing competitive matches. The number of matches you play before the World Cup, it helps you in finding the right team combination.”

“We haven’t been able to execute such plans. These are unrealistic times and you just cannot do anything about it. Whenever coronavirus ends or its effect subsides, we have to start training in a more aggressive manner.”

“We will have to make up for the lost days. We will have to find the right team combination and play as many matches leading up to the tournament. It’s better to have the World Cup on time than it getting delayed.” Goswami said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Jhulan Goswami hopes that BCCI takes the initiative for the Women’s IPL:

Besides the Women’s World Cup, the West Bengal-born cricketer is optimistic that India’s cricket board would arrange the women’s IPL tournament. India’s performance in the T20 World Cup in 2020 has urged many experts to introduce the competition as soon as possible. Jhulan Goswami hopes when the virus subsides; the apex body takes the call on the same based on the girls’ performance.

“The BCCI is going to decide that (Women’s IPL). Whenever COVID-19 ends, the board will take a call on how things are moving and how the girls are performing. Definitely we are all looking forward to having a women’s IPL. It will help Indian women’s cricket. Young Indian cricketers will get a chance to play alongside top players of the world. I think the board is working on it and it will happen soon.” the veteran added.

Also Read: Anjum Chopra Believes T20 World Cup Win Would Have Brought A ‘Generational Shift’ In Women’s Cricket In India