Jhulan Goswami, A Legend Of The Game

If you've grown up in this generation, chances are that you've at least once stumbled upon the name Jhulan Nishit Goswami.

Fastest bowler in the women's circuit at the peak of her career, Jhulan Goswami is a name synonymous in the world of cricket. Having made her debut in 2002, she has gone on to become one of the finest cricketers in the game.

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Born in 1982, Jhulan started playing cricket at the age of 15. Little did she know, 20 years later she will be the leading wicket taker in the women's ODIs and would be regarded as India's greatest ever pace bowler.

In a career that had the first taste of international cricket around 20 years ago, it has seen many iconic moments and achieved some glittering highs.

Having started off a pure bowler, Goswami slowly but steadily earned the reputation of India's leading allrounder with some handy contributions with the bat lower down the order. Along with Mithali Raj, Goswami put together a world record seventh-wicket partnership worth 157 against England at Taunton in 2002.

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Four years down the line, her career-best 10-wicket haul at the same venue propelled India to a historic Test series win on foreign soil.

Her career-defining performance came in the second Test in New Zealand when she bagged 10 for 78. In that game, Jhulan Goswami showed why she is so lethal with the ball - generating great bounce and swinging the ball both ways.

She was named the ICC Women's Player of Year in 2007 - a year no Indian male player bagged any individual award. For her performances and spirited spells with the ball, it was a well-deserved accolade and recognition.

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She was also made the captain in 2008 and led the team for next three years. She had another feather added to her cap when the Government of India conferred her with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2010, and the Padma Shri two years later.

Jhulan goswami is still going strong in one-day cricket. She is the leading wicket-taker in the format with 240 wickets to her name and is the only women's cricketer to breach the 200 wicket mark in the Women's ODIs.

At 39, Jhulan Goswami is still going strong. A great servant to the game of cricket and a legend who has risen to the top in the women's game.