Legendary Indian pacer Jhulan Goswami has declared Harmanpreet Kaur's achievements as captain 'untouchable', following India's historic Women's ODI World Cup victory and her dual Women's Premier League (WPL) titles with Mumbai Indians. Goswami, a former teammate and now MI's bowling coach, believes the 36-year-old skipper still has another four to five years of top cricket left in her.
A Legacy That Stands Apart
Speaking to PTI on Wednesday, Jhulan Goswami reflected on Harmanpreet Kaur's monumental contributions. Harmanpreet ended India's long-standing wait for an ICC title in women's cricket by leading the team to ODI World Cup glory on home soil in 2025. This crowning achievement was preceded by her successful captaincy of the Mumbai Indians, whom she led to WPL championship victories.
"What she has done for Indian cricket, what she has done for Mumbai Indians and franchise cricket, it is phenomenal," Goswami stated. She emphasized the uniqueness of Harmanpreet's record, combining the prestige of being a first-time World Cup-winning captain with multiple franchise league trophies.
An Unplanned Gesture of Pure Emotion
Goswami also recalled the deeply moving, unplanned moment when the victorious World Cup team celebrated with former legends like herself, Mithali Raj, Anjum Chopra, and Reema Malhotra. "I don't think at that time we could exchange any words, that was absolutely pure emotions coming out," she said.
She expressed gratitude towards Harmanpreet, Smriti Mandhana, and the entire squad for the spontaneous gesture, noting that such a heartfelt acknowledgment of past players was unprecedented in Indian sports. "I don't think Indian cricket or any sport has ever seen this kind of gesture what they gave to us," Goswami added.
Mumbai Indians' Fearless Philosophy Continues
As the defending champions gear up for the fourth WPL edition, the Mumbai Indians squad sees one major change: Australian Lisa Keightley stepping in as head coach, replacing England's Charlotte Edwards. Goswami assured that the team's core philosophy remains intact.
"That's the thing Charlotte started and now Lisa has come, she also brings that kind of mindset that we need to play fearless cricket," Goswami explained. She credited the franchise's strength to its ability to retain a strong core group of players, including stars like Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amelia Kerr, and Shabnim Ismail.
Backing Domestic Talent and Saika Ishaque
Echoing sentiments shared by international players in the WPL, Goswami acknowledged the rapid rise of Indian domestic players, who are now fiercely competing with seasoned international pros. She attributed this to increased exposure, improved fitness regimes, and adaptation to high-pressure environments.
Goswami also backed spinner Saika Ishaque, who had a dream debut season in 2023 with 15 wickets but faced challenges later. "She had a little bit of niggles over here and there... In the first year, probably people were not aware of her much, and in the second they planned well," she said, expressing confidence in Saika's ability to bounce back.
Concluding her thoughts on Harmanpreet Kaur's future, Jhulan Goswami left no doubt about the captain's enduring value. "The only thing I can say is what legacy she would leave in future will be very difficult to describe at this moment, because I still believe she has another 4-5 years of cricket with her."
