Anju Jain has made her mark in Indian cricket as a genuinely safe wicketkeeper and a quality opening batswoman. She has now been named captain of India and the pugnacious keeper batswoman is ready for the challenge. Respected by her colleagues for her talent, positive approach to the game and ability to deliver when it matters, Anju Jain is a good candidate to lead India in the CricInfo Women's World Cup. Speaking exclusively to CricInfo's Anand Vasu in Delhi, an excited Anju Jain talks about her aspirations, her ideals and the long journey that has brought her where she is.

Anju Jain Full Interview © Cricinfo Ltd 2000

AV: You have just been named the captain of the Indian team. Were you expecting it? [Listen]

AJ: Not at all. It came as a total surprise to me.

AV: It's been a long journey from your beginnings ten years ago to captaincy now. How did it all start? [Listen]

AJ: My father was a successful cricketer and played upto the Ranji Trophy level. I used to accompany him to all his matches and there the interest was born. I joined as a trainee under coach Surinder Sharma and then one thing led to another.

AV: At that time did you imagine that you would be captain of India someday? [Listen]

AJ: I think its everybody's dream to lead the country. But I didn't think at this moment that it would happen to me. I was not prepared and wasn't expecting it.

AV: You keep wickets and open the batting. That's a tough job. Now you are captain as well. Do you think it will be too difficult? [Listen]

AJ: Not at all. I enjoy keeping wickets. I like to be involved in the game all the time and keeping wickets enables me to do that. I think captaincy will make me a more responsible cricketer.

AV: You've been playing for a while now, who are the cricketers you admired the most? [Listen]

AJ: I can say now with great pride that I had the privilege of making my debut under Diana Eduljee. Everybody knows how great a cricketer she is. I've also played under Purnima Rau and Promila Bhatt and learnt a lot. I consider myself very fortunate to have played under all these great cricketers.

AV: The CricInfo World Cup in New Zeland will be played under very different conditions from India. How well do you think the Indian team is prepared so far? [Listen]

AJ: So far we have been working very hard on our fitness and fielding. I think the last two camps are going to be crucial. We consider ourselves strong contenders for the World Cup. Each and every player has this in mind. We are planning and playing accordingly. The final team will be selected in due course and the two camps to follow will be decisive.

AV: Being appointed captain is a great honour, but your debut must have been special as well... [Listen]

AJ: Definitely. This is my third World Cup and as a captain it will be a dream come true to win. There have been many special moments along the way. In the very first match I played I made 84 not out and was named the woman of the match. The one that is closest to my heart happened in 1995-96. I was going through a lean patch and did not make any big scores for most of the year. In the first Test match of the series against England I made a century. That was special.

AV: How has playing for Air India helped? [Listen]

AJ: Air India is not just a team. It is more like a family to me. I was in the first year of college and still very young when I joined Air India. It has been very helpful to play for such a professional side and it has helped me grow as a cricketer.

AV: What is the most thought that comes to your mind when you think about the CricInfo Women's World Cup? [Listen]

AJ: Holding the World Cup trophy is the most important thing. We all have been dreaming about that. I never thought I'd be the captain of the side. But the most important thing will be holding that trophy... even just touching it. Bringing the trophy to our country is the most important thing.

© CricInfo