Raj backs India to claim elusive World Cup title
India captain Mithali Raj knows her side are more than capable of claiming their first ICC Women's Cricket World Cup title in New Zealand.
The strong Indian side were narrowly beaten by England in the final of the most recent tournament in 2017 and have amazingly yet to win the coveted 50-over trophy.
Raj admits she is still haunted by her side's narrow loss at the last World Cup, but is confident her team can take the next step at this year's tournament.
"I clearly remember the emotions from the final of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 2017, having come so close to winning," she wrote.
"The match against England was played in a packed Lord’s stadium and to miss out on that chance is something that will rankle forever.
"It has been an honour to have led India to two of the three ICC finals we have reached, going back to the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2005 in South Africa.
"We have had several memorable performances over this period but are missing that one huge win.
"We have now been the beaten finalists in the most recent 50-over and 20-over World Cup finals and have learnt so much from those experiences that we will take into this World Cup in New Zealand.
"We have shown that we are more than capable of winning the trophy, it is now just a case of doing it and the impact of doing so would be incredible."
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Raj said the support she has received as captain has been immense as the game continues to grow back home in India.
"Our fans are some of the most passionate in the world and we know that they will be watching on,” Raj said.
"I’m sure if we did win, we would be able to hear them all the way from New Zealand.
"To be recognised on the streets in my country is something I never expected when I appeared in my first World Cup in 2000, also in New Zealand, but that is now so common and shows how much the game has grown in India.
India are currently gearing up for the 50-over tournament with a five-match ODI series against New Zealand and Raj believes this will help her side adapt to the conditions expected during the World Cup.
"We are very fortunate to be heading into this tournament having played New Zealand, Australia and England in recent months,” she said.
"The series in New Zealand has given us a chance to acclimatise, particularly to the seaming conditions we don't often experience at home.
"Against England, we won one of the three ODI matches and put up a good fight in the other two before beating Australia to end their run of 26 one-day wins.
"Those results show what is possible if we come together as a team and believe in ourselves, and now, I am just excited to get out there and play."