Shafali has that X-factor, should have been in India ODI team too

Over a career spanning two decades, Jhulan Goswami established a legend whose absence Indian cricket is still struggling to fill.

- Shalini Gupta

CHANDIGARH: Over a career spanning two decades, Jhulan Goswami established a legend whose absence Indian cricket is still struggling to fill. The tall pacer from Kolkata was India's main fast bowler and led the bowling attack in 204 ODIs, 68 T20Is and 12 Tests.

Since her retirement, Jhulan has been associated with Cricket Association of Bengal, working for women's cricket and also as a mentor at Mumbai Indians in Women's T20 Premier League (WPL).

Ahead of the India tour of England, where they are scheduled to play a T20I and ODI series, the 42-year-old speaks about how the fielding needs to pick up, why Shafali Verma would have made a difference to the ODI team and the impact of Harmanpreet Kaur's captaincy.

With opener Shafali Verma making a comeback in the India T20 team, how crucial will this be for her and the team?

Shafali has done well for her state Haryana and also for Delhi Capitals and her call-up to the Indian team is well deserved. I am sure she was hungry to make this comeback and leave a mark. Her strokeful batting not only helped her make an impact but will also help India get good starts. She has been great at the top with Smriti for India in the past and her good form will elevate India's chances in the T20I series. She has played in England before and done well. I am sure she will adjust well to the conditions.