With the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 season set for its second Kolkata Derby with Mohun Bagan Super Giant taking on arch-rivals East Bengal FC on Sunday (March 10), former India cricketer Jhulan Goswami described the upcoming affair as an unmatched experience.
Former India cricketer Jhulan Goswami, hailing from West Bengal, was heavily involved in football during her childhood. She has previously expressed her interest in football, mentioning that if she hadn’t pursued cricket, she would have aspired to be a footballer.
The former pacer developed a fondness for East Bengal FC and remains a dedicated supporter of the Red & Gold Brigade, eagerly anticipating their success in the upcoming derby. Speaking on the clash between the two soccer giants, Goswami termed it as an unmatched experience.
“The rivalry between East Bengal FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant is of a different class. If you have never been to the ground, you don’t know what kinds of things go on, and you can’t explain, it’s difficult. We talk about derbies of other countries, but the Kolkata Derby is of a next level. It is one of the best derbies that I have experienced in my lifetime,” the 41-year-old said.
Recalling her playing days, Goswami said: “We tried to avoid watching the derby matches together in the Bengal dressing room.”
“In the Bengal team we had plenty of Mohun Bagan supporters, and we all got in front of the TV and started fighting whenever there was a Mohun Bagan-East Bengal match. We tried to avoid watching the derby matches together in the Bengal dressing room! But honestly, it’s beautiful; you won’t find such passionate fans anywhere,” she added.
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Jhulan Goswami showcased her talent in 284 international matches over a remarkable two-decade-long career, solidifying her status as one of the all-time greats of the sport. Her remarkable tally of 355 wickets stands as the highest in the history of women’s international cricket.
After retirement, Goswami joined the Mumbai Indians women’s team as their Mentor and bowling coach for Women’s Premier League (WPL). She played a crucial role in guiding them to victory in the inaugural edition of the WPL in 2023.
