There’s a special gift waiting for legendary Indian cricketer Jhulan Goswami with a stand at the iconic Eden Gardens’ ‘B’ Block to be named after her. This is going to be biggest tribute for Dada(my brother) and as a cricket association we have proposed this in recognition of Goswami’s unparalleled contribution to women’s cricket,” the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) quoted. If granted approval, the stand will be inaugurated during the India-England T20I match on January 22, 2025.
For Goswami, this is a huge deal. “I never thought something like this would be a reality. It is a huge, significant honour; a dedicated stand,” she said, thanking the CAB for being ahead, in promoting women’s cricket.
Then there is Jhulan Goswami, a pioneer of women’s cricket and the leading wicket-taker in international cricket among female cricketers. During her career, which lasted for more than two decades, she took 355 wickets in all formats: 44 wickets in 12 Test matches, a world-record 255 wickets in 204 ODIs, and 56 wickets in 68 T20Is. Her legacy is not only reflected in stats but also in the millions of young cricketers she has inspired.
Turns out that after naming stands after cricket’s greats, Eden Gardens will do it to Goswami’s name as well. This initiative looks to pay tribute to women’s cricketing legends and continue to work towards the growth of the sport as part of the CAB’s ethos. CAB’s work was appreciated by Goswami, who pointed that their work in getting women’s cricket forward in last 10 years deserves praise.
It is a strong reminder to aspiring cricketers of the heights women can scale at sports, as demonstrated by Goswami’s accomplishments, and this distinguished honour. As one of the country’s greatest athletes, she continues to inspire through her commitment, excellence and humility.
It is an honour that also celebrates the legacy of cricket in India, especially its much delayed recognition of increased opportunity for women in that field. It is a step toward greater recognition and celebration of female athletes’ contributions to the sport.