Mithali Raj says her career has come full circle, looking to finish journey with WC trophy

World Cup after first featuring in the showpiece 22 years ago, Mithali Raj feels her career has come full circle with only the dream of holding the "elusive" trophy remaining unfulfilled. Raj was a part of the Indian team that played in the 2000 World Cup in New Zealand and more than two decades later, she is returning to the same country, this time as the captain. In between, she had also faced the heartbreak of losing in the summit clash to England in the 2017 edition, besides being a member of the team that ended second in 2005. "I have come a long way from the 2000 World Cup, that also in New Zealand. I missed (matches of) that World Cup because of typhoid and here I am. It has come full circle and I am looking forward to finishing the journey," Raj said in a video posted by the ICC.

"I would look forward to all my players doing well in the World Cup and that will give the Indian team the opportunity to get a hand on that elusive cup." India had lost the recent ODI series against New Zealand 1-4 but the team was able to post 250-plus scores consistently. Raj said the side was looking to do better during the March 4 to April 3 World Cup. "What we are looking at improving as a team for the World Cup is something we worked in the last series and before that. "Yes, there was a bit of concern during South Africa and England tour. By the Australia and New Zealand series, the team has come around well to score above 250 consistently. We look forward to doing the same during the World Cup, probably much better than that." The 39-year-old veteran batter said having a few left-handers among the top and middle-order is an advantage for the team. "It is good to have left handers in the playing XI, the advantage of having a