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Victorious Indian women’s team returns

Principal Correspondent

Goswami attributes the success to combined effort

— Photo: R. Shivaji Rao

VICTORY SMiLES: The Indian women’s cricket team, which won the Asia Cup, arrived in Chennai on Tuesday.

CHENNAI: Despite inadequate financial assistance, perceptibly lukewarm (official) recognition and occupying not much media space, the Indian’s women’s cricket team has been making quiet progress.

Its fourth successive Asia Cup victory on Sunday in Sri Lanka was an apt example of how the team has been moving up gradually. Proof of its growing popularity was the full attendance of print and electronic media, all fighting for vantage positions to have a glimpse of the victorious sportswomen.

The team arrived in the city on Tuesday from Colombo, and had little time to talk to the media at the Chennai International airport as all the players (barring Chennai cricketer Tirush Kamini) had a connecting flight to catch. Skipper Mithali Raj excused herself. Jhulan Goswami, the vice-captain chose to speak only after several pleas.

Great honour

The fast bowler attributed team work and commitment for the win. “It’s a great feeling. We concentrated and worked hard. It was a combined effort by all of us,” she said. On her claiming 100 wickets in the Asia Cup, only the second Indian women after Neetu David to do so, Goswami said, “it’s a great honour. I never thought that I would reach the landmark.”

Goswami said things are improving on the infrastructure front, and expressed confidence that the Indian team is on the right track.

“It’s not a thing you can change in one day. It’s a step-by-step process. It’ll take time,” said Goswami.

The 24-year-old said she is looking forward to the team’s tour of England in August-September.

Also to grab attention was Kamini, the all-rounder. Though she played only three matches, Kamini said she felt mighty pleased as the team did well.

The youngest in the team, the 17-year-old thanked her father and coach Shankar, who, she said, has been her main inspiration. “I am concentrating on my batting and leg-spin. I hope to do well in both the areas,” Kamini said.

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