That Jhulan Goswami would sooner or later become India captain was expected. What is a surprise is the 24-year-old speedster’s assertion that, in her new role, she is drawing inspiration from her male counterpart — Mahendra Singh Dhoni.“Now that I have a new job on my hands, I am looking up to Dhoni, particularly for our coming tour of Australia,” Jhulan told The Indian Express on the sidelines of a felicitation programme by CAB chief Jagmohan Dalmiya at the Eden Gardens. The lanky fast bowler, who was the ICC Woman Cricketer of the Year in 2007, said that she is drawing inspiration from the manner in which Dhoni handled his team during the eventful Australia tour.“Dhoni is a special lesson for me on the captaincy front. I am the captain now. My first job is to understand the manner and positive approach with which Dhoni led the Indian team in Australia. And I will also ask my team members to follow the same example. I think it will do us a world of good on our tour to Australia,” she said.Jhulan, regarded as one of the fastest women bowlers, was made captain earlier this month after the national selectors sacked Mithali Raj. The change of guard came after the women’s team had a disastrous tour of England.With Jhulan at the helm and Delhi allrounder Rumeli Dhar as her deputy, the 15-member Indian squad will undergo a preparatory camp in Mumbai from October 13. The tour of Australia gets underway on October 28 and India will play five ODIs and a Twenty20 match. All matches will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).Asked about her tour preparations, Jhulan said that she was looking at the trip as a build-up for the World Cup, which will be held in March 2009. “This Australia tour is very crucial as preparation for next year’s World Cup. I have been to Australia before, but this trip will act as good preparation for everyone since it is this team, more or less, that will play in the World Cup there next year,” she said.Jhulan is also confident that Mithali’s sacking will not affect their relationship. “I spoke to Mithali after she was removed from captaincy. I explained it’s a decision taken by the selectors. Mithali and I are great friends and it will continue to be that way,” Jhulan said.
