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Jhulan Goswami is a former India fast bowler and captain known as the “Chakdaha Express”. She is the leading wicket-taker in women’s international cricket with 355 wickets and holds the record for most women’s ODI wickets (255). She played for India from 2002 to 2022 and retired after a farewell ODI at Lord’s.
Jhulan Goswami: Key Facts
| Full name | Jhulan Nishit Goswami |
| Born | 25 November 1982, Chakdaha, West Bengal |
| Nicknames | Chakdaha Express, Babul |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Role | Right-arm fast-medium bowler, right-handed batter |
| International career | 2002–2022 |
| ODI debut | 6 January 2002 v England, Chennai |
| Last match | 24 September 2022 v England, Lord’s |
| International wickets | 355 (44 Test, 255 ODI, 56 T20I) |
| India captain | 2008–2011 |
| Domestic team | Bengal |
| Honours | ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2007, Arjuna Award 2010, Padma Shri 2012 |
What Are Jhulan Goswami’s Career Stats?
Jhulan Goswami took 355 wickets in 284 international matches, more than any other woman.
| Format | Span | Matches | Wickets | Best | 5-wkt hauls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 2002–2021 | 12 | 44 | 5/25 | 3 |
| ODI | 2002–2022 | 204 | 255 | 6/31 | 2 |
| T20I | 2006–2018 | 68 | 56 | 5/11 | 1 |
| Total | 2002–2022 | 284 | 355 | – | 6 |
What Records Does Jhulan Goswami Hold?
Jhulan Goswami holds the records for most wickets in women’s ODIs and in women’s international cricket.
- Most women’s international wickets: 355
- Most women’s ODI wickets: 255
- First woman to 200 ODI wickets: 7 February 2018, v South Africa
- First woman to 250 ODI wickets: March 2022 World Cup
- Most wickets in Women’s ODI World Cups: 43
- First woman to bowl 10,000 balls in ODIs: in her final match at Lord’s, 2022
- Career best: 10/78 in the Taunton Test, 2006, which won India their first Test series in England
Jhulan Goswami Career Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1982 | Born in Chakdaha, Nadia district, West Bengal |
| 1997 | Ball girl at the Women’s World Cup final at Eden Gardens; inspired to take up the game seriously |
| 2002 | ODI debut (6 Jan, Chennai) and Test debut (14 Jan, Lucknow) v England |
| 2006 | 10/78 at Taunton as India win their first Test series in England; T20I debut |
| 2007 | ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year, the first Indian to win it |
| 2008 | Succeeds Mithali Raj as India captain; reaches 100 ODI wickets |
| 2010 | Arjuna Award |
| 2011 | Career-best ODI figures of 6/31 v New Zealand |
| 2012 | Padma Shri; best T20I figures of 5/11 v Australia |
| 2017 | Passes Cathryn Fitzpatrick’s 180 to become ODI cricket’s leading wicket-taker; India reach the World Cup final |
| 2018 | First woman to 200 ODI wickets; retires from T20Is |
| 2021 | Final Test, the day-night match v Australia |
| 2022 | First woman to 250 ODI wickets; retires after a 3-0 series win in England, ending with 2/30 at Lord’s |
| 2023 | Joins Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League as bowling coach and mentor |
Early Life
Jhulan Goswami was born in Chakdaha, a small town in West Bengal, to Nishit and Jharna Goswami. She grew up a football fan, but watching the 1992 World Cup and then working as a ball girl at the 1997 Women’s World Cup final turned her towards cricket. With no proper facilities at home, she took the early local train to Kolkata every day to train at Vivekananda Park.
Was Jhulan Goswami India Captain?
Yes. Jhulan Goswami captained India from 2008 to 2011, taking over from Mithali Raj and leading the side in 25 ODIs.
How Did Jhulan Goswami Do at World Cups?
Jhulan played five ODI World Cups (2005, 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2022) and took 43 wickets, the most in the tournament’s history. India reached the final in 2005 and 2017, losing to Australia and England respectively.
When Did Jhulan Goswami Retire?
Jhulan Goswami retired from international cricket on 24 September 2022 after India beat England by 16 runs at Lord’s to complete a 3-0 ODI series win. She took 2/30 in her final match.
- T20Is: last played 10 June 2018 v Bangladesh.
- Tests: last played September–October 2021 v Australia.
- ODIs and all cricket: 24 September 2022 v England, Lord’s.
What Is Jhulan Goswami Doing Now?
Since 2023, Jhulan Goswami has worked as bowling coach and mentor for Mumbai Indians in the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
What Awards Has Jhulan Goswami Won?
| Year | Award |
|---|---|
| 2007 | ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year |
| 2010 | Arjuna Award |
| 2012 | Padma Shri |
Is There a Jhulan Goswami Biopic?
Yes, but it has not been released. Chakda Xpress, starring Anushka Sharma and directed by Prosit Roy for Netflix, was announced in January 2022 and finished filming, but its release has been indefinitely delayed and it is widely reported to be shelved.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many wickets did Jhulan Goswami take?
355 international wickets: 44 in Tests, 255 in ODIs and 56 in T20Is. It is the most by any woman.
How old is Jhulan Goswami?
Jhulan Goswami was born on 25 November 1982, so she is 43 (turning 44 in November 2026).
Why is Jhulan Goswami called the Chakdaha Express?
She is named after her hometown, Chakdaha in West Bengal, and the pace that made her one of the fastest bowlers in women’s cricket.
When did Jhulan Goswami retire?
On 24 September 2022, after her final ODI against England at Lord’s.
What is Jhulan Goswami’s height?
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m).
Is Jhulan Goswami married?
No, Jhulan Goswami is not married.
More: Mithali Raj · most wickets in women’s T20 cricket · women’s cricket · Follow Jhulan on X and Instagram
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