Chakdaha & Vivekananda Park could just be a contrasting study of demographics. The latter – with exquisitely tended gardens & high stone walls topped with barbed wires – is home to the elite class of Kolkata. More than 75 km away nestled in Nadia district is Chakdaha, a small town whose claim to fame is the district headquarters, Krishnanagar, and its famous clay idols. This study of contrasts however has a thread linking it to the finest cricketers Bengal & India have ever seen – Jhulan Goswami.

The start: 1997 Women's World Cup & Swapan Sadhu

Jhulan's desire to make a career out of playing cricket after being a ball girl in the 1997 World Cup finals is stuff dreams are made up of. The commute from Chakdaha to Vivekananda Park via a local train is a long and dreary journey of more than 2 hours. In addition to that, there was a strict reporting time of 7:30 am set by her coach - Swapan Sadhu.

Read Also: 'Last two years, I thought every series as my last one' – Jhulan Goswami on how she decided to sign off in England

Swapan Sadhu should probably be credited for honing the skills of the finest pacer Bengal has known. It was under his watchful eyes that Jhulan perfected her fast bowling skills. Sadhu, known to be a strict disciplinarian when it came to coaching, was in fact the person who had been instrumental in convincing Goswami's parents to allow her to play cricket. Notably, he conducted the only female cricket academy in South Kolkata during the late 1990s, remarkable in the age when women's cricket was hardly known among the masses.

Jhulan Goswami: The first-ever Indian to win ICC Women's Cricketer of the year

There is so much to write about Jhulan Goswami that words cannot do justice to. Shall I begin with the fan girl being proud of the 2007 ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year award or in 2008 when I told everyone who cared to listen to me that the women who donned the No 1 and No 2 positions in the ICC women bowling rankings had a Bengal connect. No 1 – Jhulan Goswami (India, proud Bengali) & No 2 – Isa Guha (born in England to Bengali parents).

Read Also: Every Record made by Jhulan Goswami

Or shall we go to what was the tournament that ushered in a new era for women's cricket? The semi-final of the 2017 Women's World Cup between India and Australia & the absolute ripper that dismissed a flabbergasted Meg Lanning – easily the best batter in the world. The runs were on the board, but if any team could chase down that total of 281, it was Australia. And Meg Lanning was a vital cog in that Australian wheel. The ball which dismissed Lanning was the ball of the tournament. Words cannot do justice to the delivery. It was a work of art. Pitching on the middle stump and straightening enough to hit the off stump, dismissing the best batter in the world.

Jhulan, the icon, role model and inspiration

In the cricketing fraternity, Jhulan Goswami will be remembered as an icon, role model and woman whose work ethic an emerging fast bowler should replicate. But what stood out for me was the insatiable desire to perform, despite the unsurmountable odds. In an interview to a Bengali daily, she highlighted how ignorant she was about sports science and diets & that the modification of her diet enabled her to extend her career. If you ever asked her whether she regretted having to travel that 4 plus hours in crowded suburban trains, she will in turn tell you how those days shaped her as a human and made her mentally tough to withstand challenges, both on and off the field.

Bengal's love affair with sports can be seen in the sheer number of clubs which outline the Maidan, and the fact that a regular evening in a "para" will involve discussions around cricket and football. However, fast bowling was never a forte for the easy-going Bengali. It took a girl from a small town of Bengal, who travelled in local trains to make the world sit up and take notice and eke her name into the annals of cricketing folklore.

Read Also: Cricket Association of Bengal arranges live screening of Jhulan Goswami's farewell match at Inox Forum

Such is the appeal she carries that probably it will be the first time that an upscale multiplex will screen the farewell match for a woman cricketer. For those interested - The Cricket Association of Bengal will be screening the match at #InoxForum on Elgin Road on 24th September, Saturday from 2.30 pm onwards.

Adios, Jhulan Goswami. Thank you for showing a billion small-town girls that the world can be your oyster.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the Indian Women's Cricket team's Tri-Nation ODI series against Sri Lanka and South Africa in Sri Lanka. The series would start on 27th April 2025. 

India will face South Africa and Sri Lanka twice in the series before the final, only if they qualify for that. The final will be played on 11th May 2025. 

Harmanpreet Kaur will be leading the Women in Blue, while Smriti Mandhana will continue as her deputy. Partika Rawal, who impressed one and all in her debut series against West Indies and Ireland, will continue as Mandhana's partner at the top of the batting order. 

This meant that Shafali Verma, despite a solid Women's Premier League and domestic season, has been sidelined again. Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Richa Ghosh will be the key batters for India, along with captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who is fresh from leading Mumbai Indians to their second Women's Premier League title. 

Yastika Bhatia is the second wicket-keeper chosen for the series, who also can be an option at the top of the order. 

Deepti Sharma,  Amanjot Kaur, Kashvee Gautam, Sneh Rana, and Arundhati Reddy will play the role of bowling all-rounders alongside youngsters like Kashvee Gautam, N Shree Charani and Shuchi Upadhyay earning their maiden India call-ups. 

India's premier fast bowlers, Renuka Singh Thakur and Titas Sadhu, are injured at the moment and were not available for selection. 

India's squad for the tri-series 

Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Smriti Mandhana (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (WK), Yastika Bhatia (WK), Deepti Sharma, Amanjot Kaur, Kashvee Gautam, Sneh Rana, Arundhati Reddy, Tejal Hasabnis, Sree Charani, Shuchi Upadhyay

Key points from the squad

1. Shafali Verma did not find a place in the squad despite a good domestic season and Women's Premier League 2025. 
2. Yastika Bhatia, Amanjot Kaur, Sneh Rana returned to squad. 
3. Pooja Vastrakar, pace bowling all-rounder, did not get a call up as Arundhati Reddy returned to the squad. 
4. Renuka Singh Thakur and Titas Sadhu were not available for selection due to injuries.
   
5. Kashvee Gautam, N Shree Charani and Shuchi Upadhyay earned their maiden India callups.

India's schedule for the tri-series against Sri Lanka and South Africa

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Giants WPL 2025 Eliminator match in Mumbai at the Brabourne Stadium. 

This is Payal Debnath, with all the LIVE Updates for you from the web desk.

Harmanpreet Kaur’s Mumbai Indians have dominated this rivalry, boasting an unbeaten 6-0 record against Ashleigh Gardner’s Gujarat Giants across three seasons. They will aim to maintain their streak and knock Gujarat out of the tournament. 

While the Giants have shown significant improvement since last season, they must deliver when it matters most to keep their title hopes alive.

So, sit back and relax as we start the live coverage for you. keep refreshing the page for all the latest updates.

Moreover, you can follow us on Twitter for all the updates. Join our Telegram and WhatsApp channels to get all the news and scores.

Every cricketer's dream is to play for his country but when his game is appreciated at the international level and he is honored with the biggest award of that game, then it shows the ability, dedication and hard work of that player. 

Similarly, considering the performance throughout the year in cricket, the international body of cricket honors the players with ICC Award every year.

It is part of the ICC Awards and is one of the most prestigious individual accolades in cricket, recognizing outstanding consistency, impact, and contributions to the sport at the international level.

The recipient is awarded the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, named after the legendary West Indies all-rounder.

In this article, we will take a look at the Indian cricketers who have won ICC Cricketer of the Year Award (Men's and Women's) so far.

ICC Cricketer of the Year Award (Men's and Women's) | Indian cricketer 

Rahul Dravid | 2004

Former India captain Rahul Dravid won the two prestigious awards in the year 2004. He was the first Indian to secure any ICC awards. 

Fondly dubbed as ‘The Wall’ by fans, Dravid’s heroics in the longest format of the game are known to all, and he put out one of his finest performances in 2004.

The former India head coach played 12 Tests that year, scoring 946 runs at an average of 67.6, including two centuries and four fifties. 

His highest score in Test cricket that year came against Pakistan in Rawalpindi as he notched up a humungous 270(495), helping India get to a first-innings total of 600 after the hosts’ 224.

Overall, Dravid finished with 1971 runs in 43 international matches, Tests and ODIs combined. 

He hit three hundreds and a massive 14 half-centuries, hitting 207 fours and five sixes. 

Since the T20I format wasn’t introduced in 2004, Dravid finished with 1025 runs in 31 ODIs.

Also Read: ICC Men's Cricketer of the year since 2004

Jhulan Goswami | 2007

Jhulan Goswami has become the first player from India to take the ICC Women's Player of the Year award in 2007. 

Goswami was also India's only representative in the individual player awards, with no representation from the men in the shortlist. 

She edged out Australia's Lisa Sthalekar and England's Claire Taylor.

The title was just reward for her bowling average of 12.40 in Tests and 21.80 in ODIs and, since Australia's Cathryn Fitzpatrick retired earlier this year, Goswami has also become the fastest female bowler in the world. 

She may have pace, but she has the accuracy to match, with an economy rate of 2.10 in Tests and 3.17 in ODIs.

Goswami is the second winner of the award after Karen Rolton won the prize in 2006.

Sachin Tendulkar | 2010

Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar won the ICC Cricketer of the Year award in 2010. 

Tendulkar fought off competition from Sehwag, Hashim Amla and Graeme Swann, the other nominees in the Cricketer of the Year category.

During the period Tendulkar scored 1064 runs at an average of 81.84 in ten Tests. 

He made 914 runs in 17 ODIs at 65.28, and also scored the format's first double-century against South Africa in Gwalior. 

Tendulkar was 37 years old in 2010, and he holds the record for being the oldest cricketer to win the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy.

Ravichandran Ashwin | 2016

Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin, who very recently announced his retirement from international cricket, won the esteemed awards in the year 2016. 

Ashwin played his last international game against Australia and ended his career after the third Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Test at The Gabba.

Ashwin finished the year 2016 with 72 wickets in just 12 Tests, including eight five-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket hauls. 

He also added 612 runs to his account, including two half-centuries.

Ashwin played only two ODIs and picked up two wickets while he played 17 T20Is, taking 23 scalps and registering bowling figures of 4/8 that year. 

Overall, the now 38-year-old played 31 international matches and picked up 97 wickets.

Virat Kohli | 2017

Indian former Test skipper Virat Kohli has won the ICC Men's Cricketer Of The Year award first time in 2017 for his brilliant run at international cricket.

Kohli has aggregated 1059 runs in 10 tests, while he smashed 1460 runs in 26 ODIs. 

Kohli has smashed 11 hundred including three double hundreds across formats in the year 2017. 

Meanwhile, with 299 T20I runs, Virat Kohli has aggregated 2818 runs in 2017 across formats. 

He has also registered 27,324 runs so far during his international cricket career. 

Therefore for his brilliant performance throughout the year, he has been rewarded with the ICC Men's Cricketer Of The Year award.

Also Read: ICC Men's Cricketer of the year winners of last ten years

Virat Kohli | 2018

Yes, you read it write it's again Virat Kohli who has won the award back to back in 2017 & 2018. 

Former Indian skipper Kohli has also broken the record of Sachin Tendulkar to become the fastest to score 10000 runs in ODI cricket this year. 

Kohli has aggregated 2735 runs across formats in 2018 including 11 hundred to his name. The former Indian white-ball captain has also retained the Border Gavaskar Trophy in the same year. 

Kohli has ended the year as the number 1 batsman in Tests and ODIs. 

Therefore, he received the award from ICC as the men's cricketer of the year 2018.

Smriti Mandhana | 2018

Smriti Mandhana has won the ICC's Women's Cricketer of the Year Award in 2018. 

Mandhana, who was named ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year and ODI Cricketer of the Year in 2018, pipped fellow opening batters Beaumont, Lizelle Lee of South Africa, and Gaby Lewis of Ireland to the honour. 

Jhulan Goswami, who won the same award in 2007, is the only other Indian woman to ever win an ICC annual award.

In 2018, Mandhana had finished atop the run chart in women's ODIs with 669 runs at an average of 66.90 and was the third-highest scorer in T20Is with 622 runs at a strike rate of 130.67.

Jasprit Bumrah | 2024

Jasprit Bumrah was awarded the ICC Men's Cricketer of the Year in 2024 due to his outstanding performances in all formats of the game.

Bumrah also became the first Indian pacer to win the award and was instrumental in India's success in the home Test series against England and Bangladesh. 

He also played a crucial role in the T20 World Cup win for his side.

Bumrah beat tough competition from Travis Head, Joe Root and Harry Brook to win the prestigious award. 

The pacer became the 5th Indian to win the award after Rahul Dravid (2004), Sachin Tendulkar (2010), Ravichandran Ashwin (2016) and Virat Kohli (2017, 2018).

Bumrah also won the ICC men's Test Cricketer Of The Year award as well after being the standout performer for India during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, where he picked up 32 wickets.

The Indian pacer started the year with a terrific performance against England at home before he switched his attention to the T20 World Cup. 

Bumrah ended the tournament with 15 wickets and an average of 8.26 as India defeated South Africa in the final to lift the trophy.

The Indian pacer was adjudged as the Player Of the Tournament for his performance.

Bumrah's performance in Tests made him really stand out from the rest of the nominees. The pacer picked up 71 wickets in 13 matches, the highest by any bowler in 2024.

The Indian U-19 Women's team secured their spot in the 2025 U-19 Women's T20 World Cup semi-finals after defeating Bangladesh U-19 by 8 wickets in the first Super-six game.

𝐈𝐂𝐂 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫-𝟏𝟗 𝐖𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧’𝐬 𝐓𝟐𝟎 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐩 ||

India storms into the semi-finals with a commanding 8-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Kuala Lumpur.

Final Score:

Bangladesh Women - 64/8
India Women - 66/2 (7.1)#U19WorldCup | #TeamIndia | #INDvBAN | #U19WC pic.twitter.com/MlAw8l9EeA

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) January 26, 2025

India's strategy of dominating early in the field worked perfectly again, helping them to earn an easy win. Bangladesh U-19 ended their innings on 64/8 in the first innings. 

In response, Indian all-rounder Gonagadi Trisha led the chase with the quick 40 runs off 31 balls, helping India secure an eight-wicket win within eight overs at the Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur.

Statement victory from the Indian U-19 women's team

Indian U-19 bowlers determined their firm control right from the beginning, as they have done throughout the tournament so far. India picked up the first wicket within the first two overs, leading to restrict Bangladesh U-19 to 18/4 by the end of the Powerplay.

Shabnam and VJ Joshita's tight bowling combined with the sharp fielding confirmed India to stay in control against Bangladesh. 

ICC Women's Under 19 T20 WorldCup 2025 super six
🇮🇳 🆚 🇧🇩

After 1st innings , Bangladesh 64/8 (20)
Sumaiya Akter 21 (29)
Vaishnavi Sharma 3/15 (4)

India need 65 runs to win

#U19WorldCup #INDvBAN #U19Worldcup2025 📸 Getty pic.twitter.com/9OGWwdAy31

— Thewomencricketworld (@Thewomencricke1) January 26, 2025

The quick wickets from the Indian pacers have surfaced the way for the spinner to shine. Vaishnavi Sharma again stole the show, taking a three-wicket haul for just 15 runs, Vaishnavi increased her tournament tally to 9, making her one of the top wicket-takers.

However, India's compact bowling restricted Bangladesh U-19 to a vulnerable score of 64/8, leaving India U-19 for an easy target to chase.

Trisha led the Indian batting in an easy chase

In response, opener Gondagi Trisha made a scorching 40 off 31, making the job half-done before leaving the pitch in the 6.5 over. 

The rest was easily done by Sanika Chalke who made 11 off 5, studded with two boundaries to finish it off for the Indian team. Indian U-19 secured a huge eight-wicket victory in just 7.1 overs, ending the innings on 66/2 and marking their utmost dominance over its continental counterpart.

Indian skipper Niki Prasad expressed her happiness as she stated:

We have been putting in a lot of effort before the match and in our preparation for the fielding, it has been really good. When we’re on the field, we just want to dominate. We aim to give our best and keep evolving and getting better and better.

Vaishnavi Sharma was named Player of the Match for the second time in the tournament. She credited her teammates, by saying:

I have no words for this. Credit to the opening bowlers for making the spinners’ job easier. It didn’t turn as much today so I just attacked the stumps.

For her effective bowling and taking 3️⃣ wickets, Vaishnavi Sharma is the Player of the Match 👏 #TeamIndia win by 8 wickets 👌

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/gqvo3PMFUq#INDvBAN | #U19WorldCup pic.twitter.com/U7knONAnrq

— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) January 26, 2025

India U-19 storms into the 2025 U-19 Women's T20 World Cup semi-final

The win marks the Indian U-19 team's third consecutive win over Bangladesh, including two wins in the Under 19 Women's Asia Cup. Gongadi Trisha significantly scored the most in all three matches.

India U-19 will aim for another victory as they face Scotland in their next Super-six game on Tuesday, hoping to maintain their unbeaten streak.

The Girls in Blue dominated their first encounter at the Super Six stage, defeating Bangladesh with 8 wickets in hand!#INDWvBANW #U19WorldCup pic.twitter.com/WUAAlXLmev

— AsianCricketCouncil (@ACCMedia1) January 26, 2025

14-year-old Ira Jadhav creates history in Women's Cricket. Cricket in India has always been a source of pride and inspiration, and now a new name has materialized to carry that legacy forward 14-year-old Ira Jadhav. The Maharashtrian young cricketing prodigy has notched her name in history by achieving extraordinary records in one breathtaking innings.

In a recent match during BCCI's limited-over tournament, Ira becomes the first Indian woman to score a triple-century. Ira scored an unbeaten 346 runs in just 157 balls to carry Mumbai to 563 for 3 against Meghalaya in Alur cricket in Bangalore on Sunday. The record holder smashed 42 fours and 16 sixes with a strike rate of 220.38 in the Women's U-19 One Day trophy.

Ira Jadhav opened the innings for Mumbai. She made a partnership of 274 runs for the second wicket with the help of Hurley Gala, the captain of the team, who made 116 off 79 balls. Ira contributed with149 runs in this partnership. Another huge partnership was shared between Diksha Pawar and Ira Jadhav forged an unbeaten partnership of 186 runs, with Diksha contributing 39 runs and Ira chipping in with 137 runs.

Ira Jadhav's record-breaking triple century is not just a statistical milestone; it stands as a signal of possibility- proof that sports empower greatness. With her historic knockout, Ira craved her name in the notebook of the history. She ignited hope and inspiration in millions of hearts. At just 14, she has shown that the future of Indian Cricket is shining brightly.