A momentous announcement was given by the International Cricket Council recently, heralding the induction of Indian cricket stalwart Diana Edulji into the prestigious ICC Hall of Fame. This landmark acknowledgment of one of India’s pioneers in women’s cricket has been admired and celebrated by the cricket fraternity, including heartfelt praise from former India cricketer Jhulan Goswami. She conveyed her admiration and reverence for Edulji through a moving letter, reminiscing about her own journey closely tied with her idol’s legacy.
The ICC recognition did not just alight upon Edulji; it embraced other cricketing greats such as flamboyant former India opener Virender Sehwag and the illustrious Sri Lankan maestro Aravinda de Silva. However, it is Edulji’s contribution to the tapestry of women’s cricket that shone through during this occasion. Her stellar career spanned over three decades, featuring in 54 matches for India, which includes 20 Test appearances—amassing 404 runs and claiming 63 wickets at an average of 25.77—and 34 ODIs with 211 runs and 46 wickets at a commendable average of 16.84.
Edulji’s legacy, however, extends beyond her considerable on-field accomplishments. Having retired, she forged a successful path as an administrator, having a profound impact on the sport in India. It was her administrative acumen that positioned women cricketers in a way that they could balance the pursuit of their sport while maintaining a career through her involvement with the Indian Railways women’s teams founded in 1984.
Jhulan Goswami, an esteemed cricketer herself, conveyed her sentiments through her letter, recognizing the monumental impact Edulji has had on the nation’s cricketing landscape. “It’s a proud moment for women’s cricket in our country and a proud moment for India as a whole, that you are being inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. Your contributions over the years have been immense,” Goswami penned, adding, “it is not too much to say that the game would not be where it is in India without all your efforts.”
With a mixture of regret and reverence, Goswami shared that one of her career’s greatest regrets was never having the opportunity to play against Edulji. She expressed how she, like many young cricketers in India, grew up learning about Edulji’s feats in the record books and her influential role on and off the cricket field. The city of Mumbai, where women’s cricket in India originated in 1971, bore witness to Edulji’s ascension as a formidable force in the game.
Goswami also recounted a nostalgic personal anecdote from 1997, a time when Edulji had hung up her international boots but was still participating in domestic cricket. Young Goswami, brimming with excitement, anticipated a match against the Railways team to which Edulji belonged. Unfortunately, the meeting on the field did not transpire, but a memorable conversation followed, where Edulji provided insights that impacted Goswami’s burgeoning cricket career.
By the time Goswami made her debut for India in 2002, Edulji had transitioned to being one of the national selectors, thus continuing to shape the course of Goswami’s international journey. The legacy of Edulji further shined when she became the first woman cricketer to be honored with the Padma Shri in 2002, one of India’s highest civilian awards.
The bond between these two cricketing legends, though devoid of direct on-field encounters, was strengthened through shared aspirations and mutual guidance. Edulji’s presence on the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), enjoyed by Goswami and her contemporaries, was crucial, allowing her vast experience as a player and an administrator to resonate in the development of the sport.
Goswami’s letter not only encapsulates the reverence she holds for Diana Edulji but also highlights the immeasurable contributions of the newly-minted ICC Hall of Famer to the cricketing world and especially to the upliftment of women’s cricket in India. As the accolades pour in, Edulji’s induction into the ICC Hall of Fame stands as a testament to her inspirational journey—a journey that transcended her era, tore down barriers, and paved the way for future champions like Jhulan Goswami.